Choi Hyungdu: "No Choice but to Accept Yoon's Re-Arrest... Court Decisions Are Fundamental to the Rule of Law"

Choi Hyungdu: "We are a nation governed by the rule of law, and we accept the court's decision"
Bae Hyunjin: "There are excessive aspects in the special prosecutor's investigation"

Former President Yoon Seokyeol was re-arrested approximately four months after being released following a decision to cancel his detention in March. Lawmakers from the People Power Party stated that they would "accept" the decision, but emphasized that procedural legitimacy must be maintained throughout the investigation process.

On July 10, Choi Hyungdu, a member of the People Power Party, said in an interview with 'KBS Jeonggyeok Sisa,' "Our country is a nation governed by the rule of law. There may be interpretations and criticisms regarding the court's decision, but because we believe that the court's decision is fundamental to the rule of law, we have no choice but to accept it."

The Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Nam Sejin, in charge of warrants) issued an arrest warrant for former President Yoon in the early morning hours, following a request from Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok's team investigating the December 3 emergency martial law case. Former President Yoon was returned to Seoul Detention Center after 123 days.

Former President Yoon Seokyeol, who is under special investigation related to the December 3 emergency martial law, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after the pretrial detention hearing on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

Choi added, "Last time, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) issued an arrest warrant for former President Yoo even though it did not have investigative authority, but unexpectedly, the extension of the warrant was canceled and he was released. I hope we can reflect once again on the court's decision at that time."

Regarding Yoon Sanghyun, a People Power Party lawmaker under special investigation for alleged involvement in candidate nominations, Choi said, "When the Democratic Party became the ruling party and the president, ongoing trials were halted and existing charges seemed to disappear. In contrast, for the opposition, if every possible crime is fabricated and every detail is scrutinized, who can trust the rule of law? As I have said, investigations must be conducted according to the law and with procedural legitimacy."

Previously, Song Eonseok, acting leader of the People Power Party's emergency response committee, criticized, "The Lee Jaemyung administration, which claimed it would not engage in political retaliation, has finally started wielding the special prosecutor's sword. They have revealed their true colors of suppressing the opposition and engaging in political revenge." In response to the claim that "the Lee Jaemyung administration's special prosecutor is political retaliation," Choi emphasized, "The standards of the law must be fair. If things are done fairly, who would resist?"

Bae Hyunjin, another People Power Party lawmaker who appeared on SBS's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show' on the same day, also argued, "Our party strongly asserts that the search and seizure of Representative Yoon is political retaliation. While I agree that investigations should be conducted without sanctuary for any criminal acts, there are excessive aspects to this case."

Bae stressed, "If you look at the contents of the search and seizure warrant, it was essentially carried out to obtain additional records from PCs, KakaoTalk, and mobile phones, but many legal experts interpret that there was no need to search his residence. If the investigation method becomes overly performative and showy, the public will quickly see through it."