Democratic Party "Regret Yoon's Detention Cancellation... Prosecution Must Immediately Appeal" (Comprehensive)

Democratic Party Holds Emergency Meeting to Discuss Response
Park Chan-dae: "Yoon's Constitutional Violations Remain Unchanged"
Distinguishing from Constitutional Court Impeachment Trial... Urges Prosecution to Appeal

On the 7th, when the court accepted President Yoon Seok-yeol's request to cancel his detention, Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and lawmakers briefly stepped out during an emergency party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to answer questions from the press. Photo by Yonhap News.

The Democratic Party expressed regret over the cancellation of President Yoon Seok-yeol's detention and urged the prosecution to immediately file an appeal. They also emphasized that the cancellation of detention is unrelated to President Yoon's impeachment trial.

Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, said in a meeting with reporters after an emergency party meeting at the National Assembly main building on the afternoon of the 7th, "We regret the acceptance of the request to cancel the detention of Yoon Seok-yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion," adding, "the prosecution must immediately file an appeal to ensure a judgment that aligns with the common sense of the people."

Park also stated, "The fact that President Yoon has seriously violated laws and the constitution remains unchanged," and explained, "The Democratic Party will take all measures to swiftly end the rebellion."

The Democratic Party stressed that a judicial review is absolutely necessary in response to the People Power Party's claim that "the prosecution's immediate appeal is virtually unconstitutional."

Lee Yong-woo, the party's legal committee chairman, said, "The court accepted the defense's position on two issues regarding the cancellation of detention, which is a first precedent," adding, "There are clearly differing opinions and it differs from past practices, so a judgment must be obtained through an appeal."

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon), which decided to cancel President Yoon's detention, judged that it is reasonable to calculate the detention period in actual time rather than days, and that it is difficult to exclude the period during which investigation-related documents were with the court for the purpose of detention review from the detention period.

Regarding this, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Gyun-taek said, "While respecting the judiciary's judgment, there are parts that are difficult to agree with," and added, "Why was such an important decision applied to President Yoon but not to other suspects? It needs to be addressed through an immediate appeal."

Park said, "The prosecution also believed detention was necessary, which is why they requested it," and "Considering the prosecution's stance so far, I believe they will file an immediate appeal."

Regarding suspicions of a "calculated error" by the prosecution raised by some, he said, "I do not know the prosecution's intentions, but I think it is unlikely," and "I hope the situation will be corrected through an immediate appeal."

Han Min-su, the Democratic Party spokesperson, said to reporters after an emergency Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, "This court decision is completely unrelated to and will not affect the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol."

Park Gyun-taek explained, "(The decision to cancel President Yoon's detention) is a procedural issue arising from differences in interpretation between the prosecution and the court regarding the calculation of the detention period," and "It is unrelated to whether there are grounds for President Yoon's impeachment."

Regarding allegations of inadequate investigation by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongu-cheo), which requested President Yoon's detention warrant, Park said, "The court did not point out problems with Gongu-cheo or acknowledge any mistakes," and "Basically, this is an issue of interpretation regarding detention, not a matter to criticize Gongu-cheo."