Joo Ho-young: "I Will Document and Convey the Damage to Judicial Independence"
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The People Power Party has begun producing a white paper accusing Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo of misconduct. The party has decided to release the "White Paper on Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo's Corruption" in collaboration with civic groups, legal professionals, and former journalists.
On the 9th, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, and members of the fact-finding committee on the impeachment deal involving Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo held the first meeting of the "White Paper Publication Promotion Committee on Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo's Corruption" in the floor leader's office and conducted the appointment ceremony for the promotion committee members. The appointed members included lawyers Jang Dong-hyuk and Kim Tae-gyu, Park Soo-chul, Secretary General of the Barun Society Movement Union, and Kang Hoon, former editorial writer of Chosun Ilbo.
On the day, Floor Leader Joo said, "The Chief Justice, who should protect the independence of the judiciary from external influences, has instead taken various personnel measures that undermine independence and neutrality, making trials biased. Although we (People Power Party) lack the numbers to impeach constitutionally, we want to meticulously document the damage to judicial independence and expose Chief Justice Kim's conduct in record form."
He added, "Leaving a record in a white paper so that future generations can see the mistakes and learn lessons is called 'Pilju (筆誅)' in old sayings, meaning 'to strike with a brush.' Even if this work is difficult, we will carefully preserve it and pass it on to government agencies and media outlets as a lasting lesson," he emphasized.
Kim Ki-hyun, head of the fact-finding committee, also said, "Chief Justice Kim may think that over time he will naturally fade from memory, but this is a serious issue that cannot be glossed over. He has inflicted fatal damage on the history of the judiciary and greatly corrupted it." He continued, "We must record all crimes and facts in detail so that responsibility can be held even after time passes. We will do our best to ensure such misfortunes never recur."
The fact-finding committee plans to continue one-person protests demanding resignation alongside the white paper publication efforts. Floor Leader Joo stated, "Since February 5, the People Power Party has been holding one-person protests in front of the Supreme Court demanding resignation. We will continue these protests until Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo steps down," he said.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
