First Legislation and Judiciary Committee Meeting Presided Over by Lee Choonseok
"The Committee Has a Mission to Restore the Collapsed Judicial System"
Lee Choonseok, the newly appointed chair of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated during his first full committee meeting after his appointment, "The judicial system as viewed by the public is in crisis," adding, "To be precise, it has collapsed."
At the full committee meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on July 1, Chair Lee said in his opening remarks, "Over the past weekend, I considered how the committee should be operated, not from the perspective of a committee member, but from the perspective of the public." This meeting was the first full session presided over by Lee since his appointment as the new chair.
He remarked, "If investigative agencies had properly fulfilled their roles, we would not have three separate special prosecutors in operation," and added, "It is abnormal that the ringleaders of insurrection, which is the most severely punished crime under criminal law, are freely walking the streets, and that those under investigation are not complying with the investigations."
He continued, "The public's right to a fair trial is being infringed upon due to a shortage of Supreme Court justices, and this too is abnormal." He criticized, "Although society and public consciousness have changed, the prosecution, the courts, and the Board of Audit and Inspection have not reformed themselves. They have failed to do so because they are considered power institutions, because they are independent agencies, and because they claim to be following the law and procedures."
He emphasized, "I believe this is the main reason for the collapse of the judicial system," and added, "Most people now believe that the prosecution and the courts, as institutions that are entirely incapable of reforming themselves, must now become the targets of reform."
He went on to say, "I do not believe the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is free from responsibility," and urged the committee members, "The committee has the mission to normalize the judicial system, which the public perceives as abnormal, so I ask you to fight fiercely to correct this."
In conclusion, Chair Lee promised, "I will guarantee a forum for heated debate, but I will not allow things to be left unattended indefinitely," and added, "If I judge that it is time to reach a conclusion, I will willingly exercise the authority granted to the chair within its limits."
The committee saw changes in its lineup, with Democratic Party members Jung Chungrae (former chair) and Park Beomgye, as well as People Power Party member Yoo Sangbeom resigning, and Democratic Party member Jeon Hyunhee and People Power Party member Shin Dongwook joining the committee.
In his opening remarks, Representative Shin stated, "The People Power Party's request to yield the chairmanship of the committee to the opposition was not an act of political self-interest, but a response to the public's demand for democracy through balance, concession, and restraint." He added, "While I congratulate Chair Lee on his appointment, I must express my regret that the ruling party continues to hold the chairmanship."
After the term of former chair Jung ended, the People Power Party argued that the chairmanship should be handed over to the opposition. However, Lee was appointed as chair through the Democratic Party's initiative.
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