[The Words That Shook the Presidential Race] "Room Salon, Cho Heedae Special Prosecutor, Lee Jae Myung Election Law"

Democratic Party Raises Allegations Against Judge Ji Guyoun
Jang Kyungtae: "Are Supreme Court Justices Aristocratic Judges?"
People Power Party Protests, Calling It a Shield for Lee's Judicial Risks

The Democratic Party has raised allegations that Judge Ji Guyoun, the presiding judge of the Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court, who is currently presiding over the insurrection case involving former President Yoon Sukyeol, received illicit hospitality at a room salon entertainment bar.

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, arrived at a campaign rally held on the 14th in Seomyeon, Busanjin-gu, Busan, and greeted the crowd by raising his thumb after stepping onto the stage. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 14th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yongmin claimed at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, "There have been specific reports that Judge Ji drank alcohol multiple times at a room salon where the cost per person is about 1 million to 2 million won, and that not once did the judge pay for it." Fellow Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Gipyo also released photos of the entertainment bar.

The Democratic Party has submitted the 'Special Prosecutor Act for Fact-Finding on Judicial Abuse by Chief Justice Cho Heedae and Others' (the Cho Heedae Special Prosecutor Act). Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jung Cheongrae stated, "I believe there is strong public demand for the Cho Heedae Special Prosecutor Act," and added, "I will ensure its passage during my term as committee chair." Bills to amend the Constitutional Court Act to allow constitutional complaints against Supreme Court rulings, as well as amendments to the Court Organization Act to increase the number of Supreme Court justices, were also submitted. Cheon Daeyeop, Director of the National Court Administration, argued that increasing the number of justices would effectively paralyze the full bench.

The People Power Party objected, claiming it was intended to shield Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung from judicial risks. People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jinwoo said, "Attempting to impeach the Chief Justice, who is the bulwark of judicial independence, and increasing the number of Supreme Court justices to suit their own interests is an international disgrace."

The Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party passed a bill in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to amend the Public Official Election Act by removing the act requirement from the crime of disseminating false information. If this bill passes the plenary session and is promulgated, candidate Lee could receive a dismissal of charges (due to the abolition of the relevant legal provision) in his retrial under the Public Official Election Act. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Heeseung stated, "The crime of disseminating false information is the most representative toxic provision leading to the judicialization of politics." People Power Party lawmaker Song Seokjun criticized, "This is nothing but a blanket Lee Jae Myung election law designed solely to deceive voters."