Kim Sun-min: "The stain left by the prosecution's political revenge must stop in the judiciary"

The Justice Innovation Party has called for the suspension of the criminal trial against President Lee Jae-myung, arguing that the court must immediately halt the trial based on Article 84 of the Constitution, which guarantees the president's immunity from prosecution.

Kim Sun-min, acting leader of the Justice Innovation Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly communication hall on the afternoon of the 8th, stating, "Article 84 of the Constitution grants the president immunity from prosecution. The court should immediately stop the trial against President Lee Jae-myung based on this."

He emphasized, "If the president is continuously harassed by investigations, accusations, and trials during their term, the operation of the government will inevitably come to a standstill. The damage will directly affect the people and the nation. Immunity from prosecution is a system agreed upon by the people for the sake of constitutional order and national stability."

He further criticized, "The traces of retaliatory investigations left by the political prosecution, which was central to the prosecution's dictatorship, still remain in the courtroom. The criminal trial that began as a targeted investigation against President Lee Jae-myung has not ceased to this day."

"Immunity from prosecution includes not just indictment but also trials… Judicial coup must stop"

Acting leader Kim stated, "In criminal cases, indictment and trial are essentially connected processes," adding, "The logic that immunity from prosecution applies to indictment but not to trials is nothing more than a legal jargon of law bandits."

He argued, "Keeping a president elected with the largest number of votes ever in court is a gag on the authority delegated by the people. This is a clear judicial coup and an act on the continuum of insurrection."

He also pointed out, "The people chose President Lee Jae-myung despite knowing the charges against him. However, it is a challenge to the constitutional order for a few judges, who do not have the people's mandate, to attempt to overturn that decision."

"Supreme Court irresponsibility, National Assembly needs to amend the Criminal Procedure Act"

Acting leader Kim criticized, "The Supreme Court should have initially clarified the interpretation of immunity from prosecution," adding, "However, the stance of leaving the continuation of trials to each court is irresponsible and cowardly."

He also accused, "Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae abused his power and pushed through a hasty trial in the appeal of the Public Official Election Act case. Now, hiding behind individual courts is an abandonment of his own duties."

He explained, "The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which would halt criminal trial procedures for the president-elect, is a confirmatory legislation to prevent conflicts with constitutional immunity from prosecution. It reflects the common sense that the application of law should be based on reason."

Acting leader Kim urged, "The National Assembly must swiftly pass the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that has already been submitted to the plenary session. We should not rely on the goodwill of individual courts but must not hesitate to legally codify the privileges granted by the Constitution."

In conclusion, he stated, "The Justice Innovation Party will lead the charge to completely end insurrection and punish those responsible. We will not stop until the end."

Image sources: Kim Sun-min, Acting Leader of the Justice Innovation Party / News1, President Lee Jae-myung / News1, News1.