[Seoul=NEWSIS] Reporters Han Eun-jin and Han Jae-hyuk report that on the 2nd, the People Power Party urged the judiciary to promptly proceed with the second trial of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act, by February.
Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, stated during the emergency committee meeting held this morning, “The trials related to various corruption and criminal allegations involving Leader Lee and the Democratic Party need to be conducted swiftly and rigorously.”
Floor Leader Kwon emphasized, “If President Yoon Seok-yeol’s warrant examination proceeds swiftly while Leader Lee’s trial is delayed, trust in the judiciary’s fairness will inevitably be shaken,” adding, “The second trial’s verdict on Leader Lee’s violation of the Public Official Election Act must be out by February 15.”
He further stated, “Currently, the executive branch is in paralysis due to successive impeachments by the Democratic Party, and the legislative branch is being overwhelmed by the actions of the massive opposition party. If the judiciary is also shaken in such a situation, the constitutional order of South Korea will collapse. The judiciary must maintain its integrity as the core of South Korea’s constitutional order.”
Emergency committee member Choi Hyung-doo criticized by saying, “The martial law, already ended by the people’s power, continues, with fear politics of martial law and rebellion threatening the acting president and cabinet members with impeachment.”
Committee member Choi pointed out, “Leader Lee and the Democratic Party are inciting anarchy, division, and chaos through successive impeachments, prioritizing Lee’s judicial risks over government stability, and attempting to delay and obstruct his trial, turning the country into one of division and suffering.”
Emergency committee member Kim Yong-tae stated, “Leader Lee, in alliance with so-called ‘daughters,’ attempts to take control of the Democratic Party, the National Assembly, and further seeks to dominate the judiciary and executive branches,” stressing that “What the conservatives must do is discuss the procedures to ensure the impeachment trial proceeds properly, and regardless of whether it is approved or dismissed, devise a ‘Post-Lee Jae-myung’ strategy for Korean politics.”
Kim added, “There needs to be a discussion platform regarding the legislative excesses and impeachment drives by the Democratic Party, which led to the declaration of martial law, as well as the allegations surrounding the National Election Commission.”