Lee Junseok Criticizes Chu Kyungho Arrest Warrant: "Punishing Non-Participation in Votes Threatens Separation of Powers"

"Chu Kyungho's consultation on the vote likely falls within the scope of immunity"
"Reducing Chu's discretion while expanding Lee's is a double standard"

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, criticized on the 4th the special investigation team's request for an arrest warrant for Choo Kyungho, former floor leader of the People Power Party, in connection with the insurrection special prosecutor case, stating, "The moment a lawmaker's vote and related actions become subject to criminal punishment, we will once again witness the collapse of the separation of powers."

On this day, through social networking services (SNS), Lee explained, "During the December 3 martial law, there were three main responses: those who participated in the vote to lift martial law, those who opposed martial law but were blocked from entering or unable to vote, and those who neither attempted to enter nor voted due to opposition to lifting martial law."

Yonhap News Agency

He pointed out, "These are the results of each individual's choices in a rapidly changing situation," and added, "The choices and actions of politicians are evaluated by the public, and that evaluation is clearly reflected in the next election as either victory or defeat."

He then referred to Article 45 of the Constitution, which grants lawmakers immunity, stating, 'A member of the National Assembly shall not be held liable outside the Assembly for speeches or votes made in the course of performing their duties in the National Assembly.' Lee argued, "The purpose of exempting lawmakers from criminal liability for official parliamentary remarks is to encourage them to speak their minds without fear," and added, "Any act by former floor leader Choo to consult or discuss the vote with others also likely falls within the 'incidental acts' of a lawmaker's vote and would be covered by immunity."

He further criticized that while the scope of discretion for former floor leader Choo is being narrowed, President Lee Jaemyung is also narrowing the scope of discretion. He said, "The arguments President Lee is making to defend himself criminally in the Daejang-dong, Baekhyeon-dong, and Seongnam FC cases are likely 'I didn't know' and 'It was within the mayor's discretion,'" and added, "If the claim is to expand the scope of discretion for Mayor Lee Jaemyung of Seongnam, that would obviously be a case of double standards."