Na Kyungwon, Hwang Kyoahn, and Others File Appeals Against 'Fast-Track Verdicts' (Comprehensive)

Prosecution Announces It Will Not Appeal,
But Defendants Line Up to Take Case to Appeals Court
"Stopping Here Would Mean Recognizing the Democratic Party's Bad Laws"

Former and current members of the People Power Party who were implicated in the so-called "Fast-Track (expedited bill) clash incident" that took place at the National Assembly in 2019 have announced their intention to appeal after being sentenced to fines in the first trial.

On the 27th, Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon stated on her Facebook page, "This was a case that should never have been prosecuted in the first place," adding, "It was a tragedy of judicial subjugation of politics, where the political actions of the main opposition party against the Democratic Party's unilateral and unconstitutional parliamentary tyranny were brought before the judiciary." Although the prosecution announced in the afternoon that it would not appeal the first trial verdicts for former and current People Power Party lawmakers, Na Kyungwon's decision to appeal means the case is expected to move to the appellate court.

Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, is leaving the 2025 Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Assemblyman Yoon Hanhong also wrote on Facebook, "Although the prosecution has stated that it will not appeal the 'Fast-Track incident,' I cannot accept a guilty verdict, even if it is only a fine, so I intend to appeal," adding, "If we stop here, it would be tantamount to recognizing the bad laws that the Democratic Party pushed through in collusion with minor parties, such as the monster Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials that only wastes the budget, and the mixed-member proportional representation system whose original intent has disappeared due to the proliferation of satellite parties."

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyoahn also announced on Facebook that he submitted an appeal on the same day.

In addition, Assemblymen Lee Manhee and Lee Cheolgyu, as well as Kim Taeheum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, also plan to appeal the first trial verdict. Former lawmakers Kwak Sangdo, Kim Seondong, Kim Seongtae, and Park Seongjoong, along with Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, have also submitted their appeals.

Earlier, on the 20th, the 11th Criminal Division for Combined Cases of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Jang Chan) sentenced Na Kyungwon and 25 other then-Liberal Korea Party officials to fines on charges of obstruction of special official duties and violation of the National Assembly Act. In the National Assembly Act violation case, no one received a fine of 5 million won or more, which would result in the loss of their parliamentary seat. The prosecution announced to the press on the same day that it would not appeal the first trial verdicts.