Park Chan-dae Urges Inspection of Judge in Insurrection Trial over Alleged Illegal Entertainment

Democratic Party Continues to Pressure Judiciary
"We Will Carry Out Sweeping Judicial Reform"

The Democratic Party of Korea has called on the judiciary to launch an inspection, insisting that Chief Judge Ji Guyoun, who is facing allegations of illegal entertainment, should be excluded from the trial of former President Yoon Sukyeol on charges of leading an insurrection.

Yonhap News

At the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held on the second floor of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th, Chief Election Committee Chair Park Chan-dae stated, "Following the unprecedented judicial coup, now we have allegations of illegal entertainment involving the judge in charge of the insurrection trial. How much further will the judiciary undermine public trust?" He raised his voice, saying, "The court must immediately exclude Judge Ji Guyoun from the trial and promptly begin an inspection." He added, "No citizen will trust the verdict of a corrupt judge."

Previously, the Democratic Party raised suspicions that Judge Ji, who is presiding over former President Yoon's insurrection trial, had been entertained by a party with business ties at a room salon. However, the Seoul Central District Court responded, "The allegations are abstract and no concrete evidence has been presented, so the veracity of the claims has not been confirmed," adding, "There is nothing to comment on at this time."

Chief Election Committee Chair Park continued to pressure the judiciary, saying, "We will use all the powers vested in the National Assembly to achieve a sweeping judicial reform." He stated, "The Supreme Court is arbitrarily interpreting Article 84 of the Constitution, which stipulates the president's immunity from prosecution," and argued, "In response to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jinwoo, the court said that whether to suspend the trial of a defendant who has become president is for the presiding panel to decide, which is yet another intervention in the presidential election."

He warned, "This is the time of the sovereign people, and it is the people?not the judges?who will make the judgment," and added, "No matter how solid the judicial cartel may be, in the end, the sovereign people will prevail."