Democratic Party Decides Not to Proceed with Criminal Procedure Act Amendment
Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik: "Suspension of Trials for Sitting President Is Guaranteed by Article 84 of the Constitution"
"Requested Exclusion of Trial Suspension Law
Regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's decision not to proceed with the so-called "Trial Suspension Act," an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that would suspend trials for a sitting president, the Office of the President stated, "The consistent position of the presidential office is that such a bill is unnecessary."
In a briefing, Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, responded to a question about whether the Democratic Party’s decision not to pursue the Trial Suspension Act reflected President Lee Jaemyung’s intentions, stating as above. Kang added, "Our position has not changed."
Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President, also held a briefing, noting that according to Article 84 of the Constitution, most constitutional scholars agree that criminal trials against a sitting president are suspended, and the Constitutional Court has previously issued the same interpretation. He urged, "Please refrain from dragging the president into the center of political strife."
Chief of Staff Kang explained, "Since suspension is already guaranteed by the Constitution, legislation is unnecessary. If, however, the court were to overturn the previous suspension declaration in violation of the Constitution, it would not be too late to legislate and request a constitutional review at that time." He added, "We have requested that the Trial Suspension Act be excluded from the Democratic Party's judicial reform proposals."
Earlier, Park Suhyeon, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, explained in a briefing that the party leadership had decided not to pursue the Trial Suspension Act, stating, "This decision was made in coordination with the presidential office."
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