The Democratic Party of Korea announced on Monday that it would postpone releasing its judicial reform plan, prepared by the party’s Judicial Reform Special Committee (chaired by Rep. Baek Hye-ryun), until after the Chuseok holiday due to a fire at the National Intelligence Resource Management Agency (NIS, previously referred to as the National Intelligence Resource). The committee had initially planned to unveil the proposal that day.
The hearing scheduled for Tuesday regarding Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s alleged involvement in the presidential election is expected to proceed without his presence. Consequently, the National Assembly’s audit of the Supreme Court, set to take place after Chuseok, is likely to be more intensive.
Chief Spokesperson Park Soo-hyun met with reporters following a high-level strategy meeting at the National Assembly. He stated that they have decided to postpone the announcement of the judicial reform plan until after Chuseok in order to swiftly address and normalize the situation surrounding the NIS fire.
Park added that discussions related to judicial reform could cover various topics. However, it is important to note that this is not the final proposal.
He further explained that once the committee’s proposal is announced and the party reaches an agreement, it will present that as well. Further noting that this will pave the way for substantive discussions with stakeholders such as the courts and civic groups, allowing them to incorporate a wide range of public opinions.
According to political insiders, the special committee’s judicial reform proposal aims to gradually increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 26 and to improve the judicial evaluation system. Party leader Jung Chung-rae had previously ordered a special investigation and a strict response after a draft of the reform plan was leaked to the media on September 8.
Regarding the Legislative Judiciary Committee hearing, which is expected to proceed without Chief Justice Cho, Park commented that the hearing will move forward as planned. However, given the anticipated absence of the Chief Justice, it is unlikely that the proceedings will go smoothly tomorrow. The session will likely involve procedural statements expressing regret.
He continued by saying that since an audit is scheduled after Chuseok, it will conduct a thorough examination of the Supreme Court that can serve as a substitute for the hearing.
The National Assembly’s amendment to the law concerning testimony and expert evaluation, currently under filibuster, will be revised and reintroduced for consideration and action.
The amendment aims to allow a special committee to file charges in the name of the National Assembly Speaker if a witness commits perjury during a National Assembly investigation, even if the original complainant is no longer available. The scope of the prosecuting body has also been expanded to include the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and the police, in addition to the prosecution.
However, on September 28, when the amendment was presented in the plenary session, the Democratic Party changed the prosecuting body from the National Assembly Speaker to the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and removed retroactive provisions.
The Speaker’s office expressed that it would be preferable for the Speaker to handle prosecutions, and the Democratic Party accepted this, reverting to the original proposal with the Speaker as the prosecuting body.
The Democratic Party plans to hold another plenary session on Thursday to address non-controversial bills related to public welfare.
Chief Spokesperson Park stated that they have repeatedly asked the People Power Party to hold a plenary session on Thursday to process over 70 non-controversial public welfare bills. Further noting that while they have not yet reached an agreement, they are committed to making this Chuseok a time to offer hope and comfort to the public.
During the National Assembly’s audit of the presidential office, the issue of witness selection became contentious when Kim Hyun-ji, the Chief Secretary for the National Assembly, was moved to the position of head of the First Secretary’s Office, raising questions about her attendance at the audit.
Park stated that she is no longer the Chief Secretary due to her transfer, so it seems inappropriate to summon the current Chief Secretary. However, he added that this is not a matter for him to address.
