Itanhee: "Judges Are Not Gods... We Must Break the Vicious Cycle"

"Judges Not Punished for Constitutional Violations... Need to Break the Vicious Cycle"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 4th, Lee Tan-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who led the impeachment motion against Lim Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court, appealed for a favorable vote ahead of the vote, saying, "We must break the vicious cycle where judges violate the Constitution but face no punishment."

In his explanation of the impeachment motion at the National Assembly plenary session that afternoon, Lee said, "'Are judges gods?' This question is a phrase written in a handwritten letter sent by the families of the Sewol ferry victims to lawmakers upon hearing the sudden retirement news of the accused (Lim Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court)."

He mentioned, "This was said in light of the painful historical experience where judges violate the Constitution but face no punishment, enjoy special privileges with exorbitant legal fees unimaginable to ordinary people, and then return to public office once forgotten."

Lee emphasized, "Now, we must break that wrong vicious cycle," adding, "The true benefit of impeachment is to confirm together with our people that the constitutional order is functioning properly as originally designed."

Finally, he added, "I earnestly appeal for an overwhelming approval so that the people can see the National Assembly properly fulfilling its constitutional duties."