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Democratic Party lawmaker counters judicial independence concerns amid legal community opposition.

Seoul, Dec. 23.– Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker and chair of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, claimed on the 9th regarding the establishment of the Insurrection-Dedicated Trial Division, which has sparked controversy over “hasty legislation” and “constitutional violations,” that “there are no constitutional issues, though debates about unconstitutionality exist.” Despite concerns raised by the National Judges’ Representative Conference —composed of judges nationwide— as well as the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) and the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, she reiterated the party’s stance to proceed, insisting there are no problems.

Rep. Choo appeared on Kim Ou-joon’s YouTube broadcast and said, “Didn’t Yoon Suk-yeol investigate and indict a sane person? What’s the use if the indicted person is later found not guilty?” She added, “Just as the media has already labeled him as ‘a bad person,’ they are creating a fuss that this law is problematic.”

She continued, “The Democratic Party is also too sleepy and is about to be swept away by this fuss.” She added, “This law was necessary from the time when warrants for those involved in the insurrection trial were rejected, and Jee Kui-youn was released (former President Yoon).”

Rep. Choo questioned, “When the Constitutional Court raised issues of unconstitutionality by calling it ‘special trial,’ we tried to form a recommendation committee with already appointed judges to establish a dedicated trial division. Can’t we avoid disputes over this?”

Regarding the judges’ concerns expressed through the National Judges’ Representative Conference, Rep. Choo said, “Judges actually don’t know the details of this discussion ..."

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