"Supreme Court's Failure to Review Lee's Paper Records Constitutes an Illegal Ruling"
Democratic Party lawmakers belonging to the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee are reviewing whether to proceed with a third round of the Supreme Court audit by the committee.
On the 22nd, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim Yongmin, a member of the Democratic Party, is speaking at the 2025 Legislation and Judiciary Committee National Audit press conference attended by members of the Democratic Party, the Justice Innovation Party, and independent members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the 22nd, Kim Yongmin, the Democratic Party lawmaker who serves as the ruling party secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated at a press conference attended by Democratic Party members, members of the pro-government Justice Innovation Party, and independent lawmakers, "After conducting two audits of the Supreme Court, we are still internally discussing whether to proceed with a third audit." He added, "Furthermore, if a third audit does take place, we have not yet decided whether it will be conducted as an on-site audit."
Earlier, Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, said after the party's Supreme Council meeting that day, "I heard that the Legislation and Judiciary Committee decided not to proceed with the third audit after considering it." However, there was a difference in opinion with the actual committee members.
The committee members stated, "The truth about the 'judicial coup' has been revealed through this audit," and also pressured Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to voluntarily step down.
Jeon Hyunhee, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "Since the 10th, electronic records have been legalized in criminal trials, but it has been confirmed that the Supreme Court neither copied nor read the paper records related to President Lee Jaemyung's case."
Jeon continued, "The key issue is whether all 12 Supreme Court justices actually read the legitimate paper records, but the Supreme Court has remained silent on this matter. Only paper records are legitimate, and in criminal trials where strict rules on illegally obtained evidence apply, a not-guilty verdict must be rendered if the conviction is based on illegally obtained evidence. Verdicts based solely on electronic evidence are invalid and constitute illegal rulings," she added.
She further argued, "If the Chief Justice claims to have read the electronic records, it is tantamount to admitting that the Supreme Court itself committed an illegal act," and urged, "Chief Justice Cho should make a decision about his position, including holding an emergency meeting on the day of the martial law."
On the 22nd, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Jeon Hyunhee, a Democratic Party lawmaker, is speaking at a press briefing for the 2025 Legislation and Judiciary Committee National Audit, attended by members of the Democratic Party, the Innovation Party for Justice, and independent members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Meanwhile, ruling party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee attributed the cause of the committee's disruption to the People Power Party. Lee Sungyun, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "The People Power Party has interfered with the audit process to prevent the exposure of acts supporting martial law or the revelation of the truth behind suspicions related to Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Keonhee."
After this audit concludes, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee will proceed with legislative procedures starting next month, including the 'crime of distorting the law (Criminal Act amendment)'. The crime of distorting the law is a proposed bill that would allow for the punishment of prosecutors and judicial police officers who, while discovering evidence of a crime during investigation, prosecution, maintenance of prosecution, or execution of sentences, fail to investigate or prosecute despite recognizing the facts of the crime.
Jeong Cheongrae, the Democratic Party leader, said at the Supreme Council meeting that morning, "The 'crime of distorting the law' bill is pending in the first subcommittee of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. I ask the committee to process it as soon as possible," and added, "As the time comes for the committee to handle reform bills after the audit, I hope Chairperson Choo Mi-ae and the committee members will act with courage."
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