"How Does This Help Yoon Sukyeol?" "Disgraceful Chu Judiciary Committee"... Prosecution Reform Hearing Repeatedly Disrupted

Judiciary Committee Hearing on Prosecution Reform Disrupted from the Start
Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Critical Leaflets and Speaking Opportunities

The legislative hearing on prosecution reform, which was set to focus on investigating the circumstances surrounding the "loss of the Gunjin Buddhist Priest cash band," was repeatedly disrupted due to clashes between the ruling and opposition parties.

The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee was scheduled to hold a full session from 10:00 a.m. that day to conduct the legislative hearing on prosecution reform.

However, Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae delayed the opening of the meeting by 20 minutes, demanding that People Power Party committee members remove objects obstructing the proceedings. On this day, People Power Party committee members attached a photo of Seo Youngkyo, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, raising allegations about Chief Justice Cho Heedae at the committee, along with a sign in front of their laptops reading, "Political manipulation, fake news factory Democratic Party!" The People Power Party lawmakers refused to remove the sign, and when National Assembly staff attempted to take it down, they resisted, calling it an "abuse of authority."

On the 22nd, at the legislative hearing on prosecution reform held by the National Assembly Judiciary Committee, Na Kyungwon, Song Seokjun, and Cho Baesuk of the People Power Party, who were expelled, are protesting to Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae. 2025.9.22 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At around 10:30 a.m., Chairwoman Chu opened the session and ordered the expulsion of People Power Party committee members Na Kyungwon, Song Seokjun, and Cho Baesuk. She warned, "If the rules of the National Assembly are violated and order in the chamber is disrupted, the chair can issue a warning or intervene. Lawmakers who do not comply may be banned from speaking or expelled from the session." The People Power Party committee members refused to leave and demanded the opportunity to make procedural statements.

During this process, Chairwoman Chu retorted, "Will something terrible happen if prosecution reform passes? How does this help your brother Yoon Sukyeol?" Assemblyman Song countered, "Are we going to keep witnessing such disgraceful scenes at the Judiciary Committee? This is not the 'Chu' of autumn, but the 'Chu' of disgrace." As the standoff continued, Chairwoman Chu eventually declared a recess at around 10:50 a.m.

The session resumed 30 minutes later, but the situation remained unchanged. People Power Party committee members approached Chairwoman Chu's seat and repeatedly demanded the opportunity to speak on procedural matters, while Chairwoman Chu cited violations of the National Assembly Advancement Act. She stated, "By obstructing the proceedings with force, you are violating the National Assembly Advancement Act," and ordered their expulsion. Amid shouting between lawmakers from both parties, the resumed session was halted again after just 15 minutes.

The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to reconvene at 2:00 p.m. Chairwoman Chu stated, "We must discuss with the members and prepare separate follow-up measures regarding this very serious and grave matter that disrupted the proceedings."

In the afternoon session, the ruling and opposition parties are expected to clash over whether the loss of the Gunjin Buddhist Priest cash band was an intentional attempt to conceal evidence or a simple administrative mistake. The incident refers to the loss of a cash band, which had been secured by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office during a search of Jeon Seongbae's residence on suspicion of illegal political funds. The cash band is marked with verification dates and is often used to trace the flow of funds.

The Democratic Party of Korea previously raised the possibility that the loss of the band was not a mistake by an investigator, but rather that the prosecution leadership deliberately destroyed evidence to shield the Yoon Sukyeol administration. In contrast, the People Power Party argues that the loss of the band was a simple mistake by the prosecution or investigators and is not a significant issue in clarifying the allegations against Jeon.