Democratic Party Joint Election Committee Co-Chairman Woo Sangho's Remarks
"We Should Refrain from Personal Attacks on Judges"
"Backlash Followed Lee Haechan's '20-Year Rule' Comment"
As the Democratic Party, led by the party itself, is pushing for bills that put pressure on the judiciary?including a special prosecutor bill targeting Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae?Woo Sangho, Co-Chairman of the Democratic Party Joint Election Committee, stated, "Our opponent is not the court, but the People Power Party candidate," and added, "I hope such issues do not become too prominent." On May 15, during an interview on YTN Radio's 'News FM Lee Ikseon Choi Sooyoung Issue & People,' Woo commented, "I think the special prosecutor targeting Chief Justice Cho is a bit excessive."
Woo continued, "There is strong public opinion that the Supreme Court's remand, including Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, was inappropriate in terms of both procedure and timing. Additionally, from the Democratic Party's perspective, there is dissatisfaction over 'why the judiciary is intervening politically during the presidential election.' Therefore, the prevailing sentiment is that this cannot simply be ignored. However, regarding whether we should keep bringing up this issue during the presidential election, the campaign committee believes we should be cautious."
He added, "At the level of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, there is an intention to keep this issue on the table, and it is proceeding separately in that way. While I fully understand the rationale, during the presidential election period, our real opponent is not the judiciary, but the People Power Party candidate. So I hope such parliamentary issues do not become too prominent if possible."
Regarding the recent allegations raised by the Democratic Party against Judge Ji Guyon, who is presiding over the criminal trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection?specifically, suspicions of being entertained at a room salon?he added, "I hope we refrain from personal attacks against judges."
Previously, Lee Seokyeon, also Co-Chairman of the Democratic Party Joint Election Committee, said in a CBS Radio interview on 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' regarding the moves by party members to propose a special prosecutor bill, "It seems like a political offensive," and added, "Even without such measures, the public is already making their judgment." He continued, "I hope for restraint, and I will advise the party accordingly," and predicted, "I don't think the bill will be brought to the plenary session before the presidential election."
However, regarding the allegations against Judge Ji, he said, "He should recuse himself from former President Yoon's trial," and added, "While going to a room salon is a matter of personal life and shouldn't be overly criticized, I suspect the person who provided the entertainment was likely a lawyer." He further stated, "If the entertainment and hospitality were related to his official duties, there is a firm Supreme Court precedent that such hospitality constitutes a bribe." He argued, "If Judge Ji himself acknowledges these suspicions, the Chief Justice should apologize to the public for this situation."
Meanwhile, Woo commented on the election landscape, saying, "If campaign officials' target expectations or overwhelming vote calculations are reported in the media, there will be backlash, as it is seen as arrogance." He emphasized, "Of course, we appeal to the public that an overwhelming victory is necessary, but saying things like 'we will win by a large margin this time' is not advisable."
He added, "In the past, when former leader Lee Haechan said, 'We should win 200 seats and govern for 20 years,' there was backlash. The Korean public prefers a humble attitude," he stressed.
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