Sharp Confrontation Over Prosecution and Judiciary Reform
During Political Affairs Government Questioning Session
The first government questioning session under the Lee Jaemyung administration on September 15 saw fierce clashes between the ruling and opposition parties. The Democratic Party of Korea accused the People Power Party of being “insurrection zombies,” using former President Yoon Sukyeol’s 12·3 Martial Law as a focal point, while the People Power Party countered by raising the possibility of impeaching President Lee Jaemyung.
Park Sungjoon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, was the first to question during the political affairs session at the National Assembly that day. Park stated, “Insurrection zombies have infiltrated the prosecution, police, military, People Power Party, and even the judiciary, entrenching themselves,” and emphasized, “The biggest challenge for the Republic of Korea is to root them out and overcome this situation.”
Targeting the People Power Party leadership, including Representative Jang Donghyuk and Floor Leader Song Eonseok, Park asserted, “The remnants of the insurrection are consistently engaging in far-right agitation and actions,” and insisted, “Those involved in the insurrection must be strictly punished.”
Prime Minister Kim Minseok is responding to a question from Lim Ija, a member of the People Power Party, during the government questioning session held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 15th. 2025.9.15 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Addressing the judiciary, Park said, “Judge Ji Guyon, who aided Yoon Sukyeol’s prison break, is still serving as a judge in the trial of the insurrection ringleaders. This must be corrected,” stressing the need for judicial reform, including the establishment of a special tribunal for insurrection cases.
Lee Haesik, another Democratic Party lawmaker, raised the possibility of filing for the dissolution of the People Power Party with Justice Minister Chung Sungho. Lee said, “The People Power Party has committed an act of betrayal against the people and violated the basic democratic order by defending a president who implemented martial law,” and asked, “As the ministry responsible for filing for party dissolution, do you plan to form a related task force within the Ministry of Justice?”
In response, Minister Chung replied, “It is not appropriate for me to answer at this stage,” and added, “The party dissolution request system is the last resort to protect the constitutional order of democracy and must be considered with utmost caution and rigor.”
When asked whether a party dissolution request could only be filed if Yoon Sukyeol’s guilt is confirmed, Chung replied, “That is not the case.” He went on to say, “A comprehensive review is needed to determine whether the party’s objectives or activities have violated the basic democratic order.”
The People Power Party strongly criticized the prosecutorial and judicial reforms being pursued by the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party.
Lim Ija, a member of the People Power Party, described the Lee Jaemyung administration as a “three-lack administration,” claiming it “lacks presence, conscience, and sincerity.” Regarding President Lee’s support for the resignation of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Huidae, Lim argued, “Targeting the Chief Justice for making unfavorable rulings in the president’s own trial is the very definition of an insurrectionist regime,” and added, “The president and the Democratic Party’s intention to completely dismantle the prosecution is something that only happens in dictatorships.” Lim also called on the Democratic Party to submit an impeachment motion against President Lee.
In response, Prime Minister Kim Minseok countered, “We are doing our utmost to overcome the Yoon Sukyeol cabinet, which was composed of many ministers who were obstacles to the national interest, and that era.”
Shin Seongbeom, another member of the People Power Party, also raised concerns about the special tribunal for insurrection cases. Shin argued, “The attempt to establish a special tribunal is an effort to secure favorable rulings,” and pointed out, “This marks the beginning of dictatorship and undermines the separation of powers.”
Shin further criticized, “Although President Lee speaks of pragmatism, he is indiscriminately pushing through the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) and the Commercial Act.” He added, “Although former President Yoon was impeached over martial law, that does not mean the Democratic Party has been handed a magic wand. The opposition must also be respected as part of the community, and the best possible consensus must be reached.”
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