Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over 'People Power Party Unconstitutional Dissolution' at Oh Youngjun Constitutional Court Justice Hearing (Comprehensive)

On July 18, during the confirmation hearing for Oh Youngjun, nominee for Constitutional Court Justice, held at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in heated debates over issues such as the trial of President Lee Jaemyung, the insurrection charges against former President Yoon Sukyeol, and the Constitutional Court review for the dissolution of the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party.

Oh Youngjun, a nominee for the Constitutional Court Justice, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the confirmation hearing held on the 18th at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee Sungyun, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, argued, "The People Power Party shielded former President Yoon, so it should rightfully be dissolved as an unconstitutional party," adding, "Compared to the precedent set by the Constitutional Court in dissolving the Unified Progressive Party, the People Power Party should have been dissolved a hundred or even a thousand times over."

In response, Jang Donghyuk, the People Power Party's secretary, countered, "At the time of the impeachment decision against former President Yoon, the question of whether insurrection charges applied was excluded from the grounds for impeachment, and there was no determination made regarding the establishment of insurrection charges," emphasizing, "If an individual party member's actions cannot be attributed to the party as a whole, it is a clear legal principle that this cannot constitute grounds for the party's dissolution."

The ruling and opposition parties also clashed over the Supreme Court's decision in May to remand President Lee's Public Official Election Act case, which occurred when he was a presidential candidate.

Kim Gipyo, a Democratic Party lawmaker, pointed out, "The Supreme Court en banc has never acted this swiftly in the past," and added, "A remand that overturns the overall conclusion requires a thorough review of the records, but this was carried out at an exceptionally fast pace."

Cho Baesook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, countered criticism over the courts' suspension of President Lee's trial based on Article 84 of the Constitution, stating, "There is ongoing academic and judicial debate over whether incidents prior to taking office are covered by immunity from prosecution, and it appears the courts may have yielded to political pressure."

The People Power Party also raised concerns about potential political bias, citing Oh's and his spouse's involvement in the progressive judges' association 'Woori Law Research Society.' In contrast, Democratic Party lawmakers Park Jiweon, Seo Youngkyo, and Park Heeseung criticized the lack of diversity on the Constitutional Court, noting that its composition is heavily skewed toward male Seoul National University graduates.

Lee Choonseok, the Democratic Party-affiliated committee chair, remarked during the hearing, "Constitutional Court Justices handle many political cases and must have conviction," and added, "The nominee is answering with great restraint, but if this continues, the public may worry that he lacks conviction, so please speak more assertively."

Meanwhile, Oh's confirmation hearing faced difficulties from the outset due to the aftermath of the search and seizure of People Power Party lawmakers Kwon Seongdong and Lee Cheolkyu by the special prosecutors investigating Kim Keonhee and the death of a Marine. The hearing was delayed as People Power Party lawmakers visited the Speaker's office to protest the search and seizure, resulting in their absence from the hearing room at the scheduled start time.