Cho Kuk Criticizes Judiciary: "People Power Lawmakers Keep Seats Even After Wielding Crowbars and Using Violence"

Criticism of First Trial Verdict for Incumbent People Power Party Lawmakers
in the "National Assembly Fast-Track Clash" Case

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the National Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, on November 21 criticized the first trial verdict for former and current members of the People Power Party involved in the "National Assembly Fast-Track Clash," saying, "How can it make sense that lawmakers can retain their legislative positions even after violently violating laws they themselves created?"

On Facebook that day, Cho stated, "The court has bestowed grace by ruling that even if lawmakers wield crowbars and commit acts of violence in the National Assembly, they can still retain their seats," expressing his criticism.

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the National Innovation Party, Cho Kuk. Photo by Yonhap News

He further emphasized, "Lawmakers are legislators who make the law," and added, "Violations of the law by legislators deserve even stronger condemnation."

The previous day, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Jang Chan) sentenced 26 individuals, including People Power Party lawmakers and former Liberty Korea Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) officials, who were indicted on charges such as obstruction of special official duties and violation of the National Assembly Act, to fines.

At the time, Na, who was the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, was fined a total of 24 million won (20 million won and 4 million won in two separate cases), and Hwang, who was the party leader, was fined a total of 19 million won (15 million won and 4 million won). This was the first verdict in six years and seven months since the incident occurred.

Song Eonseok, the current floor leader of the People Power Party, was fined a total of 11.5 million won (10 million won and 1.5 million won). Incumbent elected officials Lee Manhee, Kim Jeongjae, Yoon Hanhong, and Lee Cheolgyu were fined 8.5 million won, 11.5 million won, 7.5 million won, and 5.5 million won, respectively. Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo and South Chungcheong Governor Kim Taeheum were fined 7.5 million won and 1.5 million won, respectively.

The court stated, "This case marks the first time that members of the National Assembly themselves violated the Assembly's own policy, which was established to reflect on past mistakes and restore public trust," and added, "Regardless of the justification of the disputed bills, it is undeniable that public trust in the National Assembly has been damaged."

Cho Kuk, former Emergency Response Committee Chairman, who ran unopposed in the National Innovation Party leadership election, is speaking at the party representative and supreme council member candidate press conference held at the Busan Metropolitan Council in Yeonje-gu, Busan on the morning of November 21, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

In general criminal cases, a sentence of imprisonment or higher, or in cases of violation of the National Assembly Act, a fine of 5 million won or more, is required for a lawmaker or local government head to lose their position. However, under this verdict, even if the first trial decision is upheld through all three instances, Na and others will retain their seats as lawmakers or local government heads.

Previously, in January 2020, Na and others were indicted on charges of confining then Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Chae Ibae in his office and occupying the Bill Office, the National Assembly Special Committee on Political Reform, and the Special Committee on Judicial Reform meeting rooms in April 2019.

At that time, the ruling and opposition parties clashed physically over whether to designate bills such as the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the introduction of the mixed-member proportional representation system as fast-track (expedited) bills. This verdict comes six years and seven months after the incident and five years and ten months after the indictment. The first trial verdict for Democratic Party of Korea officials indicted for the same incident is expected to be delivered by early next year at the latest.