Kwon Soon-il and Son Jun-seong Mentioned in Judiciary Committee, Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash over 'Daejang-dong and Alleged Report Manipulation'

On the 1st, at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, members of the People Power Party are attaching placards demanding a special prosecution related to the Daejang-dong scandal before the start of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Supreme Court and others. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The legislative audit resumed on the afternoon of the 1st, focusing on questioning former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il, who served as an advisor to Hwacheon Daeyu, and Prosecutor Son Joon-sung, who is suspected of involvement in the 'accusation ordering' case, turning into a fierce presidential election battle.

Kim Young-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, cited past 'judge surveillance documents' and documents related to the mother-in-law that appeared in media reports as examples, stating, "The prosecution, led by former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, systematically surveilled the courts and even ordered opposition politicians, blatantly showing political interference," and asked, "Not only did the prosecution significantly exceed the scope of information it should have collected, but it also committed various illegal acts as a state official. Do you have anything to say?"

In response, Chief Kim said, "Since various facts are still being clarified, it is difficult for me to comment here."

Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, said, "I cannot understand former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il. He met with Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung four times a month," and questioned Chief Kim, "As the head of the court administration, did you have any external person you met four times a month while serving as a Supreme Court Justice?" Chief Kim replied, "No."

Then, Rep. Kwon asked, "Would former Justice Kwon sell out for just 15 million won in a case where his honor could be completely destroyed? Would he do such a foolish thing? There must be something more. Don’t you think this case should be investigated for the sake of restoring the Supreme Court’s honor?" Chief Kim said, "I understand it is currently under investigation by investigative agencies," and refrained from further comment.

On the other hand, Park Sung-jun of the Democratic Party defended former Justice Kwon Soon-il, saying, "Governor Lee Jae-myung denied on a TV debate that he tried to commit his elder brother to a psychiatric hospital, and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court. How can this be a matter for the law?" Chief Kim responded, "It is a finalized case. Since I was personally involved in the trial, it is not appropriate to make specific or individual comments or evaluations."