"Investigation to Determine Metropolitan Government Heads' Involvement in Martial Law to Be Pursued"
The Democratic Party of Korea's Special Committee for Comprehensive Response to the Three Major Special Prosecutions announced its stance, stating, "We will make every effort to enact a Special Act on Insurrection and will also consider establishing a special court for insurrection cases."
On August 31, Jeon Hyunhee, the head of the special committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "We will break the conspiracy of insurrectionist forces seeking revival and the judiciary's attempts to protect them."
The Special Act on Insurrection is a bill jointly proposed last month by Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae and his colleagues. The bill includes provisions such as suspending state subsidies for political parties that produce insurrectionists, granting criminal leniency to those who voluntarily surrender or report insurrection, and establishing a special court dedicated to insurrection cases.
Among the bill's provisions, the plan to establish a special court dedicated to insurrection cases has sparked controversy, with concerns that it could undermine judicial independence. However, the committee has been raising its voice for this measure, especially in light of Judge Ji Guyoun, who presided over the insurrection case of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, canceling Yoon's detention, and the recent dismissal of the arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
Jeon pointed out, "The public is questioning whether the judiciary, which should be the final bastion for ending insurrection, is actually hindering its conclusion, and there is a growing call for extraordinary measures." She added, "One hundred fifteen Democratic Party lawmakers jointly proposed the Special Act on Insurrection, which includes the establishment of an independent court for insurrection cases. Party members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee also agreed on the necessity of appointing special judges for warrants and enacting the Special Act on Insurrection."
She continued, "While the majority of judges are doing their best to uphold judicial justice and trial fairness, there are concerns about the behavior of some in the judiciary following the imposition of martial law and the insurrection. Suspicion has been raised that Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae is at the center of this, and the judiciary itself must recognize its grave responsibility."
Regarding the establishment of a special court for insurrection cases, Jeon explained that the party leadership has not yet held full-fledged discussions, saying, "Before the bill is handled by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, it will be necessary to consolidate the leadership's opinions, and discussions are expected to take place early next week."
The special committee also announced plans to investigate whether metropolitan mayors and governors affiliated with the People Power Party participated in the imposition of martial law. Jeon claimed, "The possible involvement of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae, and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok in the insurrection remains a blind spot in the ongoing investigation by the three major special prosecutors."
She added, "It has been reported that many metropolitan leaders held emergency meetings on the day martial law was declared, closing their offices and restricting access, yet there has never been an investigation into this. We urge the special prosecutors to launch a prompt investigation into this matter. The special committee will request relevant documents and conduct on-site verifications to uncover the truth about the involvement of metropolitan governments in the insurrection."
Addressing the People Power Party, Jeon argued, "By seeking to topple the people's government, they are inviting the dissolution of their own party. If they continue to deny martial law, insurrection, and impeachment without genuine reflection or apology, it will be the People Power Party that is dissolved before the end of the Lee Jaemyung administration."
Regarding next year's June 3 local elections, she emphasized, "It must serve as the finale that completely eradicates the remnants of the insurrectionist forces and completes a unified people's government at both the central and local levels."
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