People Power Party: "The Corruption Investigation Office is Constitutional, but Historically Unconstitutional... It Will Leave Shame"

Constitutional Court: "What's the Use?"
"No Constitution" Criticism

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eun-hye and others are holding protest signs in front of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting room at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on December 4 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The People Power Party criticized the Constitutional Court's ruling on the 28th that the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Gosucheo) is constitutional.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "The expected conclusion is not surprising," adding, "If this is the case, what use is the Constitutional Court?"

Rep. Kim emphasized, "Today's ruling that Gosucheo is constitutional sounded an alarm for the rule of law in the Republic of Korea," and said, "The Constitutional Court has no constitution."

She continued, "Despite the opposition party's urging to reach a conclusion on Gosucheo beforehand, the court dragged it out for a year without a single public hearing," and questioned, "What meaning does today's decision have after the president's encouragement and the ruling party's legislative violence led to the launch of Gosucheo?"

She said, "Despite the weak decision lacking conviction, attention is drawn to the power-oriented conviction that kindly granted legality by stating that Gosucheo, whose separation of powers, neutrality, and independence are crucial, belongs to the executive branch," and added, "Today's decision by the Constitutional Court, which reduced the constitution of the Republic of Korea to a rubber stamp for five years of power, will remain a shame in judicial history."

Rep. Kim said, "Today may be constitutional, but in history, it is unconstitutional," and added, "The dream of extending the regime, the People Power Party will watch that boomerang."