■ Broadcast Time: April 14 (Monday) 16:00~17:00 KBS1
■ Host: Kim Yong-jun, reporter
■ Participants: Kang Jeon-ae / Spokesperson of People Power Party · Jang Yoon-mi / Lawyer · Kim Bong-shin / Deputy Vice President of Meta Voice
◎Kim Yong-jun: Hello, viewers. Welcome to April 14, Monday’s episode of 사사건건. Just like the snow piled up on cherry blossom paths and typhoon-like gusts, unexpected variables are emerging in the presidential primary process as well. Some candidates who were expected to run have declared they would not, and some who announced their candidacy have stated they would not participate in the primary. With the presidential election just 50 days away, we will look into the situations of each party. Joining us are lawyer Jang Yoon-mi, former vice chairman of the Democratic Party’s legal committee, Kang Jeon-ae, spokesperson of the People Power Party, and Kim Bong-shin, deputy vice president of Meta Voice and a top lecturer in public opinion analysis. Welcome.
▼Kang Jeon-ae: Hello?
▼Kim Bong-shin: Hello?
▼Jang Yoon-mi: Hello?
◎Kim Yong-jun: Hello? First, let’s briefly talk about former President Yoon Seok-youl. Former President Yoon appeared in court for his first formal criminal trial today and gave a speech for more than 40 minutes in the morning. He reiterated his claim that the December 3 martial law was intended as a peaceful message to the public and that martial law is something always prepared. Let’s hear the opinions of you two. Lawyer Jang Yoon-mi, please go first.
▼Jang Yoon-mi: First of all, in both form and content, it was inappropriate. The process of attending the trial is quite close from his residence in Acrovista to the court. Even if security concerns require travel by car, minimizing public inconvenience was necessary, but that consideration seems lacking. The same goes for the court. The first trials of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye were open to the public. In this case, the public couldn’t even watch the first court proceedings because it took place in an undisclosed path. The primary victims of martial law are the citizens. It is difficult to question which human rights were considered more or prioritized, and the content is even more astonishing. Who is the former president who insisted on always preparing for martial law? If that’s the ongoing situation, is it something that should be prepared for? Martial law, which restricts fundamental rights, is supposed to be enacted only in exceptional national emergencies or wartime situations. Stating that it was always in mind is essentially an admission. Furthermore, he belittled witnesses who gave unfavorable testimony against him, claiming they made those statements under pressure of being accused of rebellion. These are military commanders and forces following his orders. Even now, at this moment, there is a lack of the slightest sense of shame in former President Yoon, I believe.
◎Kim Yong-jun: Spokesperson Kang Jeon-ae, it was said that both the process of his appearance in court and the content discussed were very inappropriate.
▼Kang Jeon-ae: In terms of the process of attending, it seems that former President Yoon’s security team requested access through the underground parking due to necessary order maintenance methods. However, banning TV cameras from recording during the hearing was arranged by the court. Ultimately, entering through the underground parking might be seen as special treatment, but it was permitted to protect the court premises and prevent inappropriate interactions when many people come for various court matters. As for the shooting part, Judge Ji-Gwi-yeon noted that the request to record came too late. They indicated they’d reconsider if the request is made again. I see the court’s allowance of this as consideration for stability. It’s been only ten days since President Yoon was impeached. Some supporters are still emotionally processing the situation. I think over time, sentiments will ease, and as time passes, adjustments may be naturally enabled, similar to past cases with Presidents Park and Lee, where public transparency was maintained because of public interest. I believe such developments will naturally follow.
◎Kim Yong-jun: Former Presidents used underground parking for court appearances for the first time. The court also banned filming inside the courtroom. Explaining the differences compared to previous former Presidents like Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, we saw university students actively supporting former President Yoon on the day he vacated his office last Friday. There is a suggestion that this was requested by the Blue House. Let’s continue the conversation after watching the related video.
Due to a request from the President’s side, we apologize, but those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s cannot enter. Young adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who wish to greet the President directly should quickly come forward.
◎Kim Yong-jun: You just watched a YouTube video. Spokesperson Kang Jeon-ae, university representatives present at that time have stated that the Blue House asked the students to come and be positioned upfront.
▼Kang Jeon-ae: Yes. Many students from universities wearing school jumpers were bused to witness former President Yoon moving from his official residence back to his private residence in Seocho-dong.
◎Kim Yong-jun: School jumpers.
▼Kang Jeon-ae: Many students wearing jumpers with their school names participated, sparking speculation that the Blue House orchestrated this appearance. There may be uncertainty regarding the direct involvement of the Blue House, but it seemed somewhat prepared. During former President Yoon’s impeachment process, many young men in their 20s and 30s showed considerable support for him. Sadly, most young adults involved in disturbances at the Western District Court were from this age group. While these disturbances are unrelated, former President Yoon made several public speeches thanking and apologizing to the youths. Recognizing young people, future generations, as voices of support, especially young men, during his presidential campaign was evident. He had strategists like Lee Jun-seok in the past, but now, youth autonomous support is reacting against perceived injustice from the Democratic Party. Former President Yoon would have felt grateful for the strong support even after the 8-0 impeachment decision. This engagement intensified and connected through public platforms. In the Constitutional Court’s decision, it was noted that Yoon faced challenges from internal politics and blamed for administrative paralysis. The Court expressed that both the President and the National Assembly’s ruling 党, the Democratic Party, were collectively responsible. These words possibly reflect the powerful civic movements among the young generations that influenced the constitutional justices’ judgment.
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