Han Ducksoo, Shim Woojeong, and Others Also Submit Letters of Non-Attendance
Chief Judge Ji Guiyeon of the Seoul Central District Court, who was selected as a witness for the first parliamentary audit under the Lee Jaemyung administration, reportedly submitted a statement of non-attendance to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit on the 13th.
According to the legal community on the 12th, Chief Judge Ji submitted a statement of non-attendance on the 10th after being selected as a witness for the Supreme Court audit by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee regarding the "alleged presidential election interference."
In her statement, Chief Judge Ji wrote, "The questions posed in this parliamentary audit pertain to ongoing trials and demand explanations about the deliberation process. This contravenes Article 103 of the Constitution, which guarantees judicial independence; Article 65 of the Court Organization Act, which mandates the confidentiality of deliberations; and Article 8 of the Act on Parliamentary Inspections and Investigations, which sets the boundaries for parliamentary audits concerning trials."
She added, "As a witness who must abide by the Constitution and the law, I ask for your understanding that it is difficult for me to attend."
Chief Judge Ji Guiyeon is making a statement to the press before the trial of former President Yoon Seokyeol on charges of leading a rebellion, held on the morning of the 21st in Courtroom 417 at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. 2025.04.21 Photo by Joint Press Corps
In addition to Chief Judge Ji, Supreme Court Justices Oh Kyungmi, Lee Heunggu, Lee Sugyeon, and Park Youngjae, who were also selected as witnesses regarding the election interference allegations, submitted statements of non-attendance, citing their obligation not to disclose the content of judicial deliberations in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who was rumored to have met with Chief Justice Cho Heedae, also submitted a statement of non-attendance for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee audits on the 13th and the upcoming 15th, citing his need to attend his own trial on charges of aiding and abetting rebellion.
Former Prosecutor General Sim Woojeong, who was selected as a witness for the Ministry of Justice audit on the 14th, also submitted a statement of non-attendance, stating that "there are concerns about affecting ongoing investigations and trials." Former Prosecutor General Sim was listed as a witness in connection with the prosecution's decision to forgo an immediate appeal regarding the cancellation of the arrest warrant for former President Yoon Seokyeol.
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