Legislation and Judiciary Committee Criticizes Judge Lee Young-jin Over 'Golf Entertainment Allegations'

"Typical Legal Corruption, the Beginning of a Cartel"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] On the 18th, the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee sharply criticized the Constitutional Court regarding Justice Lee Young-jin, who has been embroiled in allegations of 'golf entertainment'.

At the full meeting of the Judiciary Committee that day, Kwon Chil-seung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Looking at the structure of this case, the justice, legal representatives, interested parties, and brokers all appear in the same place," adding, "It seems to be the starting point of a typical legal corruption or cartel," and pointed out, "Constitutional justices are completely a no-go zone. Then shouldn't there be internal disciplinary actions?"

Kim Nam-guk said, "No matter how high-ranking a judge is, the current issue is a very serious crime that undermines the trust of the entire judiciary," and asked, "But if the Constitutional Court does not take active measures and just leaves it as is because the justice explains to the media, what will happen?"

Lee Tan-hee also said, "This is the first time in constitutional history that a constitutional justice has received hospitality entertainment from a party involved in an ongoing case. Is it right for Justice Lee Young-jin to continue the trial?" and added, "He should voluntarily recuse himself. I believe this also meets the conditions for avoidance under the Constitutional Court Act."

Jeong Jeom-sik, a member of the People Power Party, said, "The public cannot accept the response from Secretary-General Kim Jeong-won that the Constitutional Court cannot take any action against the constitutional justice involved in the golf entertainment controversy."

In response, Kim Jeong-won, Secretary-General of the Constitutional Court, who attended the meeting, said, "At the level of the Constitutional Court, it is not a situation where I can express a position on that matter here."

When asked if there are no disciplinary provisions in the Constitutional Court Act, Secretary-General Kim replied, "That is correct," and when asked if he thinks the Constitutional Court Act should be amended, he answered, "It is true that there are parts that need to be reviewed."

He added, "We are currently understanding the explanation from the person involved (Justice Lee Young-jin). It is not a matter for the Constitutional Court to issue an official position," but said, "However, we will strive to devise institutional measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents."

In the afternoon questioning session, in response to Jeong's question about the necessity of a disciplinary law for constitutional justices, he admitted, "We also acknowledge the necessity."