“Choo Kyung-ho, a member of the People Power Party, is delivering a personal statement at the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th, when a detention consent request for him was tabled.” The political circles are closely watching the pre-trial detention hearing for Representative Choo on the 2nd. The Democratic Party of Korea intends to use the potential issuance of an arrest warrant as a catalyst for a campaign aimed at disbanding the People Power Party. On the other hand, the People Power Party, perceiving the possibility of a warrant issuance as low, is preparing to use the outcome of the review as an opportunity for a significant counterattack.
The Democratic Party believes that if the arrest warrant for Representative Choo is issued, it will meet the primary requirement for filing a constitutional appeal to dissolve the People Power Party. However, they also view a dismissal of the warrant as not the worst-case scenario, as it could spur public sentiment for judicial reform. On the 28th, the Democratic Party’s leader, Jeong Cheong-rae, stated, “We are thoroughly preparing for both scenarios, whether the warrant is issued or dismissed. If Choo is arrested, the People Power Party will bear the stigma of being a treasonous party, and the call for ‘dissolving the unconstitutional People Power Party’ will grow louder. If dismissed, the criticism will shift to the judiciary, prompting demands for judicial reforms like establishing dedicated internal rebellion courts.”
While the People Power Party views the likelihood of warrant issuance as low, there is a sentiment to prepare for the worst-case scenario. They fear that if a warrant is issued, it could lend political and legal legitimacy to the ruling party’s calls for party dissolution and the government’s constitutional appeal. In a public rally held on the 1st, the People Power Party leader, Jang Dong-hyuk, expressed confidence that the warrant would be dismissed, which would signal the end of unfounded rebellion accusations. Should a warrant be issued, they plan to argue that it is the result of coercion and intimidation by the regime leading to judicial submission.
Nevertheless, within the ruling party, there are concerns that if the warrant is dismissed, public opinion might strengthen against what they see as overly aggressive rebellion charges. A Democratic Party lawmaker, formerly a judge, emphasized the importance of facing this situation with a detailed legal strategy, noting, “Currently, judges responsible for issuing warrants are using all legal means available to dismiss warrants for rebellion-related suspects.”
The detention hearing for Choo Kyung-ho, who is accused of obstructing a vote to lift martial law (engaging in significant rebellion duties), is scheduled for 3 PM on the 2nd at the Seoul Central District Court, under the review of Judge Lee Jung-jae.