Joo Jin-woo: "Eight Constitutional Court Justices' 'Second Phones' Should Have Usage Reasons and Communication Records Disclosed"

Twelve Constitutional Court Members Use Institution-Named Work Phones
People Power Party Lawmakers Demand Disclosure of "Second Phone" Communication Records

Joo Jin-woo, a member of the People Power Party, demanded the disclosure of communication records from the so-called 'second phone,' a work mobile phone under the name of the Constitutional Court, which constitutional justices reportedly used. On the 6th, Joo posted on his social media, "Why do constitutional justices need a second phone?" According to materials Joo received from the Constitutional Court, the court issued institution-named mobile phones to 12 people, including Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae and eight justices (Acting Chief Justice Moon, Lee Mi-seon, Kim Hyung-doo, Jung Jung-mi, Jung Hyung-sik, Kim Bok-hyung, Jo Han-chang, Jung Gye-seon), Secretary-General Kim Jeong-won, Deputy Secretary-General Kim Yong-ho, Public Relations Officer Cheon Jae-hyun, and Planning and Coordination Office Chief Ha Jeong-su.

Joo Jin-woo, a member of the People Power Party, demanded the disclosure of the communication records of the so-called "second phone," a work mobile phone under the name of the Constitutional Court used by the constitutional justices. Joo Jin-woo Facebook

Regarding this, Joo said, "Former Secretary-General Kim Se-hwan was also exposed for secretly communicating with politicians using a second phone, which has caused public outrage," and added, "To avoid suspicion of the Constitutional Court's independence, they must not behave in a way that causes misunderstanding before the public." He criticized, "Constitutional justices receive a work second phone in addition to their personal phones, which is opened under the name of the Constitutional Court, and the state pays the bills," calling it "truly shocking."

Most notably, Joo pointed out that constitutional justices, who cut off private ties and strictly refrain from external contacts, still use second phones, stating, "The second phone is clearly problematic, especially since procedural safeguards have already collapsed." Referring to the precedent set by Secretary-General Kim Se-hwan, Joo said, "(Kim) reset the second phone before returning it," and asserted, "The Constitutional Court must clearly disclose to the public with whom and for what reasons the second phone is used." Furthermore, Joo emphasized, "Constitutional justices hold positions that require a high degree of political neutrality and independence," and stressed, "They must eliminate communication with the outside and adjudicate solely based on the constitution and evidence."

Not only Representative Joo, but also Kim Dong-won, spokesperson for the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-woo, spokesperson for the People Power Party, demanded the disclosure of the communication records of the second phone used by the Constitutional Court justices through their statements. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Not only Joo but also Kim Dong-won and Lee Jun-woo, spokespersons for the People Power Party, demanded the disclosure of communication records from the second phones reportedly used by constitutional justices through their statements. Spokesperson Kim said, "Although constitutional justices are positions requiring a high degree of political neutrality and independence, numerous controversies, including political bias allegations, have arisen throughout the impeachment trial," and added, "In such controversies, it is questionable whether the second phone is genuinely necessary for work." He urged, "If the Constitutional Court is truly honorable, it should disclose not only the reasons for using the second phone but also the details of the communication partners."

Spokesperson Lee stated, "To dispel suspicions of a 'fraudulent impeachment,' constitutional justices should disclose the communication records of the second phones used from December last year to the present," and pointed out, "Since the Constitutional Court purchased the phones under the institution's name and paid the bills, the second phones are clearly for official use, not personal." He added, "There is absolutely no reason not to disclose this to the public," and warned, "If they refuse to disclose or reset and return the second phones, it would be tantamount to admitting they are subjects of investigation."