Political Tensions Emerge in National Assembly Session
The full session of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which was convened to investigate suspicions of external pressure linked to the prosecution’s decision not to appeal in the Daejang-dong case, ended after only 40 minutes of discussion. The People Power Party called for an urgent inquiry into the current situation, claiming that both the Ministry of Justice and the presidential office were likely involved in the abandonment of the appeal. However, Committee Chairperson Choo Mi-ae rejected the request, citing a lack of consensus between the ruling and opposition parties.
During a procedural remarks session, People Power Party Representative Cho Bae-sook emphasized that, in the 78-year history of the prosecution, there has never been a case where an appeal was abandoned following a not-guilty verdict in a large-scale power-related corruption case. She added, “There are suspicions that political pressure was applied, and that the higher-ups involved are the Minister of Justice and the President.” She further requested, “Chairperson, please place the urgent inquiry agenda item on the table and allow us the opportunity to discuss it.”
Fellow party member Representative Kwak Gyu-taek also commented, stating, “It is only natural to hold a normal urgent inquiry by summoning the Minister of Justice, the acting Prosecutor General, the Vice Minister of Justice, the Chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, and others.” He added, “In a situation where it has been confirmed that the Minister of Justice gave illegal orders, is it sane to convene a meeting without even setting the agenda, just to hear a few procedural remarks?”
Chairperson Choo responded by stating, “I requested through the secretary-general to discuss the agenda, schedule, and method of proceedings. The side that refused the discussion was the People Power Party.” She also mentioned that the meeting was held in the afternoon because the Democratic Party had a workshop for all regional committee chairpersons the previous day.
Earlier, the People Power Party proposed summoning Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho, Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok, and others as witnesses to hold an urgent inquiry. However, Chairperson Choo rejected the proposal, citing the National Assembly Witness and Document Act, which requires that a request for attendance be delivered at least seven days before the required date. As a result, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s session that day became a “hollow meeting” with no witnesses or reference persons in attendance.
Democratic Party Representative Park Ji-won questioned, “If the prosecution is so just, why does it not immediately appeal the cancellation of Yoon Suk-yeol’s detention and address the corruption involving Kim Keon-hee?” He added, “The Minister of Justice must demonstrate public office discipline and the liquidation of insurrection by taking decisive personnel measures against the prosecution, which engages in selective insubordination.”
Fellow party member Representative Kim Ki-pyo pointed out, “They claim there is no precedent for not appealing a not-guilty verdict, but in January of this year, in the case of People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok, the prosecution requested a fine of 1 million Korean won and then abandoned the appeal after a not-guilty verdict was rendered.” He added, “People Power Party lawmakers should remain silent on this case.”
After the procedural remarks concluded, Chairperson Choo unilaterally adjourned the meeting approximately 40 minutes into the session, stating, “You are well aware that a full session will be convened tomorrow and that the Minister of Justice will also attend.”
In protest, People Power Party lawmakers held a press conference immediately after the adjournment. Representative Na Kyung-won stated, “The witnesses we requested to attend are public officials who are obligated to appear if agreed upon by both parties and ordered by the chairperson.” She added, “Isn’t leaving the meeting room empty like this today, because the Democratic Party did not adopt the witnesses, a ‘hollow’ act?” She continued, “They are merely going through the motions of convening a meeting in response to a request under the National Assembly Act,” and “Chairperson Choo Mi-ae is trying to conceal the truth.” She further asserted, “The President, the presidential office, the Minister of Justice, and Chairperson Choo Mi-ae, who are attempting to cover up the truth behind the abandonment of the appeal that would absolve President Lee Jae-myung of guilt, are accomplices.” She concluded, “Starting with tomorrow’s full session, we will uncover the truth behind the abandonment of the appeal in the National Assembly.”