Park Ji-won: "Choo Kyung-ho's Warrant Likely to Be Dismissed in Substantive Review... Arrest Motion Expected to Pass"

Dismissal of Warrant Does Not Erase Charges
People Power Party Must Keep Its Promise to Waive Parliamentary Immunity

Park Ji-won, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on November 27 that while the National Assembly is expected to pass the motion to arrest Choo Kyung-ho, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, the court is likely to dismiss the arrest warrant during the substantive warrant review.

In an interview with SBS Radio that day, Park added the caveat, "It is up to the judiciary to decide," but predicted, "Even if the National Assembly approves the motion to arrest Choo, I expect the warrant will be dismissed during the substantive review." Regarding the outcome of the plenary vote in the National Assembly, he said, "It will obviously pass."

When the host asked why his outlook differed from that of many Democratic Party lawmakers, who predict that Choo will be detained, Park responded, "I believe the court will determine that there is no risk of evidence destruction and, since he is an incumbent member of the National Assembly, no risk of flight."

The People Power Party has argued that if the court dismisses Choo's warrant during the substantive review, it would undermine the Democratic Party's framing of the party as an "insurrectionary party." In response to this, Park stated, "Just because the warrant is dismissed does not mean the charges disappear." He explained that even if the warrant is dismissed during the substantive review, the allegations themselves do not vanish.

Park also strongly criticized the People Power Party for suggesting that, in connection with the vote on Choo's arrest motion, they might launch an unlimited debate (filibuster) on livelihood-related legislation.

Park said, "Didn't the People Power Party say they would give up their privileges regarding the arrest motion? They should do as they said." He emphasized that they should keep their promise to forgo parliamentary immunity. Regarding Choo's stated intention to give up his immunity, Park commented, "He said he would give it up, but the party should not act otherwise." He insisted that the party should not use the filibuster for livelihood bills and similar legislation.