Kim Yong-tae, chairperson of the People Power Party's emergency countermeasures committee, met with Woo Sang-ho, the senior presidential secretary, on the 10th to express concerns about three issues, including the legality of the so-called 'judicial suspension law' that the Democratic Party of Korea is attempting to push through. Woo said, 'I will relay this directly to President Lee Jae-myung.'
The chairperson met with Woo, who visited the National Assembly for courtesy, and conveyed concerns about ▲ the unconstitutionality of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, known as the 'judicial suspension law,' which seeks to suspend ongoing criminal trials upon the election of a president; ▲ issues related to the appointment of constitutional court justices; and ▲ the preparation of a supplementary budget with cash distribution.
The chairperson criticized the 'judicial suspension law', saying, 'It is legislation that distorts the privilege of non-prosecution under Article 84 of the Constitution for political shielding purposes. Becoming president does not erase crimes,' and added, 'Just because trials are halted does not mean guilt disappears. It is a declaration that power will stand above the law. If this law passes, all five ongoing criminal trials against the president will come to a halt. At that moment, the judiciary will bow down to politics, and the mirror of justice will no longer be able to maintain balance.'
Regarding appointments of constitutional court justices, he pointed out, 'The neutrality and independence of constitutional court justices are essential. Appointing a lawyer who has been involved in the president's own case to such a position undermines constitutional order' and added, 'If such an appointment enters the Constitutional Court to decide on the constitutionality of the judicial suspension law, it will be difficult to gain the public's trust, regardless of the outcome.'
Earlier, the presidential office announced that attorney Lee Seung-yeop is being considered as a candidate for constitutional court justice. Attorney Lee has represented President Lee Jae-myung in cases involving violations of the Public Official Election Act, coaching perjury, and allegations of remittances to North Korea related to SSANGBANGWOOL.
The chairperson also stated, 'As the government formalizes the second supplementary budget, it has indicated an expansion of finances with living support funds and debt relief,' and pointed out, 'Cash distribution and unconditional relief could thoroughly alienate citizens who have lived diligently, and if people are made to wait for relief, it could send the wrong signal.'
The chairperson emphasized, 'While regimes may change, the spirit of the Constitution must not. The judiciary must remain the last bastion of justice, and the fiscal policy must serve as a foundation for the nation’s future.' He added, 'I will not remain silent in the face of legislation that shakes the constitutional order, personnel appointments that undermine judicial independence, or populism that distorts the national economy.'
He also added, 'Please clearly relay this message to the president,' and remarked, 'Power that stands above the law does not last long.'
Woo noted, 'I will convey the three issues just mentioned without filtering, and hear the president's views.'
He also conveyed President Lee Jae-myung's position, saying, 'It would be good if you could explain the intention behind selecting a senior secretary who can specifically communicate with the opposition party. Consider the opposition as a partner in governance and express the will to listen and communicate sufficiently, even if there are differing views.'
He said, 'We are ready to accept how to create a cooperative relationship as partners and are prepared to accept both criticism and cooperation. We hope you will communicate freely at any time, as we are open to it.'
He added, 'The speed of processing the supplementary budget is crucial. If we miss the timing, it cannot play the role of a catalyst,' and requested, 'Please cooperate to ensure it is processed swiftly in the National Assembly.'
At the beginning of the meeting, they exchanged pleasantries, creating a warm atmosphere.
The chairperson remarked about Woo, saying, 'As a four-term lawmaker, he has left a significant legacy and has practiced flexible yet dignified politics.' He added, 'The senior secretary role is a political hotline connecting the president and the opposition, and just having someone like him appointed to that position is taken as a signal of communication in the new government.'
'The People Power Party is ready to cooperate anytime if the government is working on behalf of the people. If it is for the recovery of the nation's future livelihood, we will engage in dialogue and compromise with an open attitude beyond political advantages and disadvantages,' he said.
Woo praised the chairperson, stating, 'He is a young leader capable of leading Korea's politics. I also highly value his efforts to manage the party under difficult conditions.'
However, after the meeting, the chairperson reiterated strong criticism of the Democratic Party's attempts to push through legislation. He requested, 'If the Democratic Party truly empathizes with the concerns of many citizens regarding the bulletproof laws, please retract them immediately today.'
The 'bulletproof laws' include the judicial suspension law, an amendment to the Public Official Election Act that removes 'acts' from the criteria of the crime of disseminating false information, and an amendment to the Court Organization Act that focuses on increasing the current 14 Supreme Court justices.