Judicial Reform Begins with the Removal of Judge Ji from the Insurrection Trial
Calls for Swift Investigation into Entertainment Allegations
Additional Disclosure of Informant's KakaoTalk Messages
Park Chandae, a lawmaker running for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized that Judge Ji Guyoun, the presiding judge in the insurrection case against former President Yoon Sukyeol at the Seoul Central District Court, should be removed from the trial and that a swift investigation is necessary.
On the 27th, Park held a press conference at the National Assembly and stated, "We can no longer tolerate a situation where the presiding judge in an insurrection trial acts like an accomplice to the insurrection," adding, "We will remove Judge Ji from the insurrection court, and those who manipulate the law must be brought to justice."
With the party convention scheduled for August 2 approaching, Park has been consistently calling for the eradication of insurrection and judicial reform, urging support from the public.
Park pointed out, "The special favors Judge Ji has granted to Yoon Sukyeol are actions that would be difficult for any normal judge to take unless they shared a common fate," and added, "Even after the release privilege, there were further unreasonable accommodations such as allowing the use of underground passages and prohibiting courtroom filming. Despite repeated absences from court by the detained defendant, Judge Ji took no action."
He maintains that judicial reform must begin with the removal of Judge Ji from the insurrection trial.
Park also reiterated his call for a renewed investigation into allegations that Judge Ji received entertainment from nightlife establishments. He said, "Recently, I formally requested the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials to investigate Judge Ji," and urged, "The CIO should secure key evidence such as communication records and account or card transaction details, and promptly launch a thorough investigation."
He continued, "The Supreme Court should immediately take personnel action against Judge Ji, and all materials collected during its own investigation should also be handed over to the CIO."
Previously, in May, the Democratic Party raised allegations that Chief Judge Ji had received entertainment on multiple occasions from individuals related to his official duties at nightlife establishments, and released related photographs. On this day, Park also disclosed additional KakaoTalk messages exchanged between the photo informant and a Democratic Party official.
According to the messages, the informant mentioned the specific address of the establishment where Judge Ji was allegedly entertained. The messages also included the claim, "Didn't Yoon Sukyeol say he prefers to use people with flaws because they are more obedient? There must be a reason why he appointed Cho Heedae as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court."
Park Chandae, a member of the Democratic Party running for party leader, is revealing chat room materials related to Judge Ji Gwiyun's visit to a nightlife establishment immediately after the cancellation of former President Yoon Sukyeol's detention, which he obtained through a tip, during an interview with reporters following a National Assembly press conference on the 27th. Yonhap News
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