Judicial Reform Hearing Marred by Party Clashes

The legislative hearing on judicial reform at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee continued to face disruptions ...

The legislative hearing on judicial reform at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee continued to face disruptions due to clashes between ruling and opposition parties. The parties engaged in sharp disputes even before the hearing began over allegations of a "meeting between Jo Hee-de and 대Chief Judge" and the "People Power Party's appointment of a secretary-general." During this process, critical remarks and raised voices occurred, and expulsion measures were implemented, preventing the meeting from proceeding normally.

The committee convened a plenary session at 10 a.m. on the 22nd to hold the "legislative hearing on judicial reform." The hearing, led by the Democratic Party, aimed to investigate suspicions of the "loss of the Geonjinbeopsa Gwanbonggwon ttiji" related to the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office.

However, the hearing began 30 minutes late after Committee Chair Choo Mi-ae raised issues with the People Power Party's laptop pamphlets. People Power Party lawmakers had attached pamphlets to their laptops reading, "Political manipulation, fake news factory Democratic Party!" in relation to the alleged meeting between Jo and 대Chief Judge. The pamphlets included an image of Democratic Party Representative Seo Young-kyo, who raised the meeting allegations.

Before the meeting began, Chair Choo stated, "Laptops are public property of the National Assembly, and attaching political slogans obstructs proceedings. We will either remove them directly or have National Assembly staff do so." As staff attempted to remove the pamphlets, People Power Party lawmakers resisted by holding them in place.

The People Power Party protested the rejection of Representative Na Kyung-won's appointment as secretary-general during the hearing. As tensions escalated, Chair Choo expelled People Power Party Representatives Na, Song Seok-joon, and Jo Bae-sook. The People Power Party lawmakers requested to speak on procedural matters without leaving, but Chair Choo rejected this, leading to chaos.

Critical remarks were exchanged between the parties. Chair Choo addressed Representative Na, saying, "Does judicial reform pose a threat to you, Representative Na Kyung-won? What help does this provide to Yoon Suk-yeol, older brother? The Legislation and Judiciary Committee has become a political battleground and a platform for political agitation for Representative Na."

People Power Party Representative Song Seok-joon retorted, "Will you continue to allow this disgraceful image of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee? This committee, with the character '추' not meaning 'autumn' but 'disgrace,' becomes something no dictatorship has ever seen." Chair Choo countered, "How childish." Amid the chaos, a witness had to squeeze through the lawmakers to deliver the oath to the chair.

The hearing was repeatedly suspended due to the parties' clashes. As lawmakers continued shouting, Chair Choo declared a recess 20 minutes into the session, around 10:50 a.m. The meeting resumed at approximately 11:20 a.m. after 30 minutes, but People Power Party lawmakers continued protesting near the chair's seat. Democratic Party Representative Jeon Hyun-heui attempted to question regarding the Gwanbonggwon ttiji suspicions, but the hearing was suspended again at 11:36 a.m. due to ongoing disruptions.

Chair Choo warned the People Power Party lawmakers, "We will take legal action for violating the National Assembly Advancement Act." She then resumed the meeting around noon, stating, "We will prepare additional follow-up measures," and declared another recess.