"Special Prosecutors' Indiscriminate Search and Seizure of Lawmakers...
Caution Is Needed"
Song Eonseok, interim leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, on July 18 urged that courts exercise caution not only when requesting but also when issuing search and seizure warrants against members of the National Assembly, in response to the three special prosecutors conducting searches of the parliamentary offices of People Power Party lawmakers Kwon Seongdong and Lee Cheolgyu.
After concluding a floor leadership meeting that day, Song told reporters, "It appears as though the three special prosecutors are operating as a new prosecution directly controlled by the Democratic Party or the Lee Jaemyung administration," expressing his concerns.
On the same day, the special prosecutor team led by Lee Myeonghyeon, which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, conducted search and seizure operations at the parliamentary office and residence of lawmaker Lee Cheolgyu. Meanwhile, Min Junggi's special prosecutor team, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, simultaneously searched Kwon Seongdong's parliamentary and Gangneung offices.
Song further criticized, "Is this another instance of indiscriminately executing search and seizure warrants, following the previous cases involving lawmakers Yoon Sanghyun and Lim Jongdeuk?" He added, "Excessive displays of power inevitably lead to breaking."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
