107 National Assembly Members Including Lee Tan-hee Push for Impeachment of Judges Involved in 'Judicial Farming' Scandal
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the ruling party proposed the impeachment of judges involved in the 'judicial scandal,' Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker running for the Seoul mayoral by-election, also declared his support for the impeachment.
On the 27th, Woo posted on his Facebook, stating, "I support the impeachment resolution against Judges Lee Dong-geun and Lim Seong-geun."
He pointed out, "The two judges who altered the verdicts to protect former President Park Geun-hye during the trial process concerning the Sewol ferry incident coverage are about to retire," adding, "Those who damaged judicial justice to protect the core of the state affairs manipulation are trying to be freed without any judgment or punishment."
He continued, "This has already been judged as unconstitutional by the court," and said, "The National Judges Representatives Meeting and the Chief of the Court Administration Office also expressed opinions in the National Assembly that impeachment should be pursued. Moreover, 107 members of the National Assembly have gathered opinions supporting the impeachment resolution."
Previously, Chief Judges Lim Seong-geun and Lee Dong-geun were suspected of intervening in the trial of a Japanese journalist who was indicted for defamation after raising suspicions about former President Park Geun-hye's 'Sewol ferry 7-hour mystery.' Chief Judge Lim is scheduled to retire at the end of February upon the expiration of his term, and Chief Judge Lee recently submitted his resignation, which is expected to be accepted on the 28th.
Woo said, "The judiciary should be protected through the separation of powers, but it is also an institution that must be under the control of the people," emphasizing, "This is the role and responsibility of the National Assembly."
He added, "Now that prosecutorial reform has been completed through institutional reform, judicial reform should enter the main track through the impeachment of judges involved in the judicial scandal."
Meanwhile, on the 22nd, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Tan-hee held a press conference at the National Assembly and announced that 107 lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Open Democratic Party, and Basic Income Party agreed to push for the impeachment of Chief Judges Lim Seong-geun and Lee Dong-geun involved in the 'judicial scandal.'
The 107 members exceed the required quorum of 'one-third of the total members (100 members)' needed to propose a judicial impeachment. A majority vote is required to pass the impeachment motion.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
