107 National Assembly Members Propose Impeachment of Judges Involved in Judicial Corruption

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the 22nd, Lee Tanhee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference at the National Assembly and proposed the impeachment of Judges Im Seonggeun and Lee Donggeun, who were involved in the 'judicial scandal.' A total of 107 members of the National Assembly, including members from the Justice Party, Open Democratic Party, and Basic Income Party, joined Lee's proposal. The number 107 meets the quorum required to initiate a judicial impeachment motion.

At the conference, Lee stated, "The two judges interfered with the trial process and leaked the contents of rulings in advance to conduct trials that suited the tastes of those in power, thereby violating judicial independence and the principle of separation of powers."

He emphasized, "We must punish this to restore the public's trust that unconstitutional interference in trials will never happen again and to regain confidence in judicial independence."

He continued, "The National Judges Representatives Meeting resolved that such interference in trials should be subject to impeachment, recognizing the necessity of the National Assembly's impeachment motion. Impeachment of constitutional violators acknowledged even by the court is the duty of the National Assembly. I propose the impeachment of the two judges."

To facilitate the impeachment process, he also urged each political party to make decisions for the resolution process. Lee said, "I request the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Open Democratic Party, Basic Income Party, and others to proceed swiftly with their party decision-making procedures. The scheduled date for accepting the resignation of these judges is the 28th. Time is tight."

The two judges targeted for impeachment are suspected of interfering in the trial of a Japanese journalist who was indicted on defamation charges after raising suspicions about former President Park Geunhye's '7-hour Sewol ferry incident.'