Kim Dae-woong, the Chief Justice of the Seoul High Court, stated that claims regarding the suspension of President Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case, including the retrial, do not constitute a crime.
During a national audit of the Seoul High Court on October 16, lawmaker Kim Tae-kyu from the People Power Party questioned, "The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 7 has suspended the retrial of President Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case. The reason is the estimation of the trial date. Isn't this a case of neglect of duty or abuse of judicial authority?"
The estimation of the trial date refers to the practice of changing, postponing, or continuing a trial without specifying the next date. The court handling President Lee's election law violation case has estimated the trial date since he took office in June of last year, in accordance with Article 84 of the Constitution.
In response, Chief Justice Kim stated, "I understand that the trial has been suspended based on Article 84 of the Constitution." This article stipulates that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted except in cases of insurrection or treason.
In relation to this, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Han-kyu asked, "Is it illegal for the court to choose to postpone the trial without declaring a suspension?" Chief Justice Kim replied, "I do not believe a crime has been committed and think it is a method utilized under the current system."
When asked if there is an intention to resume the trial of the sitting president, Chief Justice Kim said, "The Chief Justice cannot and does not intervene in the trial, and I believe it is up to each individual court to make its own decisions."
Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun from the People Power Party inquired about when the trial dates would be set, to which Chief Justice Kim responded, "That is a matter decided by the court, and as Chief Justice, I cannot know."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.