Ahn Cheolsoo Criticizes Suspension of President Lee's Trial as "Judiciary's Self-Destructive Act Denying Independence and Legitimacy"

Strong Criticism of Court's Suspension of Trial on Social Media on the 11th
"Prosecution Must Object and Urge Resumption of Trial"

Ahn Cheolsoo, a member of the People Power Party, criticized, "The unprecedented situation of indefinitely suspending the trial of President Lee Jaemyung is an act that destroys the fundamental democratic order of the separation of powers, with the judiciary itself bowing to the president." He added, "It is unconstitutional, denies the independence and very reason for the judiciary's existence, and is a self-destructive act that undermines its own authority."

Ahn Cheolsu, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dongju

On June 11, Ahn wrote on his social networking service (SNS), "The court has indefinitely suspended the trial of President Lee Jaemyung by designating the trial dates for his major criminal cases, including violations of the Public Official Election Act and corruption in Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong, as 'to be determined.' This is an unconstitutional decision that uproots the very foundation of the rule of law." He continued, "Article 84 of the Constitution states, 'The President shall not be subject to criminal prosecution during his term of office, except for crimes of insurrection or treason.' While there is debate over the scope of 'prosecution,' the majority opinion among constitutional scholars is that it refers only to the filing of a lawsuit (indictment) and does not include suspending ongoing trials."

Ahn further emphasized, "Nevertheless, the fact that an individual court has unilaterally halted the trial grants President Lee Jaemyung privileges that transcend the Constitution. If even the courts arbitrarily interpret the Constitution to suit those in power or those accused of serious crimes, do they have any right to tell the people to obey the law? This is a direct denial of the fundamental principle clearly stated in Article 11 of the Constitution: 'All citizens are equal before the law.'"

Ahn Cheolsu, Member of the People Power Party. Ahn Cheolsu Facebook

Additionally, Ahn asserted, "For the remaining cases of President Lee Jaemyung that are still ongoing, the court must make independent and reasonable judgments, and the prosecution should immediately object to the court's unjust postponement of trial dates and use every means permitted under the Criminal Procedure Act to urge the resumption of the trials." He concluded, "I strongly urge the court to make independent and reasonable judgments on the remaining cases of President Lee Jaemyung that are currently ongoing. A country where law and principle prevail, where justice?not privilege?rules, is the true Republic of Korea that we must protect."