On Their SNS: "The Corruption Investigation Office Has No Authority to Investigate Treason"
Kang Seungkyu, a People Power Party lawmaker classified as pro-Yoon, criticized the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on the 2nd ahead of the execution of President Yoon Sukyeol's arrest warrant, saying, "The CIO has become the 'grateful magpie' for the Democratic Party just five years after its establishment," and "They violated the CIO Act and succeeded in judge shopping."
On his social media account that day, Kang stated, "The CIO Act stipulates that first trials should be under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Central District Court, but they requested an arrest warrant from the Western District Court simply because the presidential residence is in Yongsan-gu," adding, "The chief judge in charge of warrants at the Western District Court is a former member of 'Woori Law Research Association,' a group known for its left-leaning judges."
He continued, "When the CIO was launched in 2019, during the Moon Jaein administration's campaign to eradicate deep-rooted evils, the progressive camp expected it to imprison politicians from the then-opposition Liberty Korea Party. However, after the first indictment was against Seoul Superintendent Cho Heeyeon for the special hiring of a Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union member, it greatly disappointed that camp and has since failed to produce any significant achievements."
He went on, "Now, in a chaotic situation where large and small illegalities are being committed as long as they can 'bring down President Yoon Sukyeol,' the CIO has succeeded in judge shopping and has become the 'grateful magpie' for the Democratic Party," emphasizing, "From the beginning, the CIO did not have the authority to investigate insurrection charges."
Kang pointed out, "The CIO is now attempting, for the first time in constitutional history, to arrest a sitting president by citing the CIO Act, which allows for 'related investigations' into abuse of authority, as grounds to investigate insurrection charges," adding, "This is an extreme idea and an overreaching act."
He continued, "If the CIO's 'miraculous logic' prevails this time, the CIO will reign above all laws," and "Neither our people nor the Constitution have ever granted the CIO such authority. I hope the Constitutional Court, which will judge the jurisdictional dispute in this case, makes the right decision."
Kang also targeted the judge who issued the arrest warrant for President Yoon at the CIO's request, saying, "According to Articles 110 and 111 of the Criminal Procedure Act, searches and seizures of military or official secret facilities cannot be conducted without the consent of the person in charge, and any exceptions to the application of these laws are the prerogative of the National Assembly as the legislative body."
He further criticized, "A judge, who should rule within the boundaries of the law and precedent, is arbitrarily exercising legislative authority," and "I don't know what the judge's ideal is, but if you want to engage in politics in Korea, take off your judicial robe and run for office. Do not insult the judges who are quietly fulfilling their duties."
He added, "The Constitutional Court is busier than ever," and "This case, above all, must be swiftly adjudicated to immediately halt the politicization of the judiciary."
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