The Democratic Party of Korea announced that it will not postpone the handling of the Criminal Procedure Act amendment, even though the retrial on remand for President Lee Jae-myung's Public Official Election Act violation case has been delayed. The Democratic Party has signaled its intention to proceed with the process of amending the Criminal Procedure Act to halt ongoing criminal trials upon presidential election at the National Assembly session on the 12th.
On the 9th, Cho Seung-rae, the chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters at the National Assembly communication center, when asked whether there would be any impact on the plan to handle the Criminal Procedure Act amendment at the session on the 12th, that "if individual courts resolve the matter, it could lead to arbitrary interpretations of the constitutional spirit, which would be problematic."
Cho, the chief spokesperson, said, "Does the fact that (the Seoul High Court) decided to designate the timing later mean they intend to halt (the trial) during (President Lee's) term in office?" adding, "Given the aspect of arbitrariness in constitutional interpretation, it is necessary for the court to provide a clear interpretation on the suspension of trials."
He further emphasized, "A court interpretation is needed that the trial is suspended, not by individual courts," adding, "If the approach continues to rely on individual court opinions, I believe there is no reason for the Democratic Party to delay the push for amending the Criminal Procedure Act."
On this day, the 7th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Lee Jae-kwon) of the Seoul High Court changed the schedule of the retrial on remand for President Lee's Public Official Election Act violation case, originally set for the 18th. The court explained it as "measures according to Article 84 of the Constitution." Article 84 stipulates the presidential privilege of immunity.