People Power Party: Opposition must hold Justice Committee chair to curb 'judicial destruction'

South Korea's conservative People Power Party has reiterated its demand that the opposition retain control of the powerful Justice and Legislation Committee in the latter half of the parliamentary session. The party argues that this is essential to uphold the legislature's oversight function and prevent what they term "the ruling party's legislative rampage."

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The only way to follow the stern public sentiment from the June 3 local elections, which demanded an end to the concentration of power, is for the opposition to defend the chairmanship of the Justice and Legislation Committee and fully restore the National Assembly's check-and-balance function.

"The only way to follow the stern public sentiment from the June 3 local elections, which demanded an end to the concentration of power, is for the opposition to defend the chairmanship of the Justice and Legislation Committee and fully restore the National Assembly's check-and-balance function," said Choi Bo-yoon, the party's senior spokesperson, in a statement.

The party specifically criticized the Ministry of Justice's recent establishment of a 'Committee for Respecting Prosecutors' Human Rights and the Future.' They allege this committee, which includes cases linked to President Lee Jae-myung, is merely a pretext to justify dropping charges. "How can an external committee, separate from the prosecution's own task force and parliamentary investigations, uncover alleged fabricated indictments?" Choi questioned.

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How can an external committee, separate from the prosecution's own task force and parliamentary investigations, uncover alleged fabricated indictments?

"This is nothing more than an 'extra layer of bureaucracy' created by the Ministry of Justice to build a case for dropping charges against the president," the spokesperson asserted. "The fundamental principle of justice, that no one can be a judge in their own case, is being trampled by the president, the executive branch, and the ruling party in collusion."

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This is nothing more than an 'extra layer of bureaucracy' created by the Ministry of Justice to build a case for dropping charges against the president.

The People Power Party views the opposition's control of the committee as the "last bastion" against what they describe as "anti-constitutional attempts" to dismiss their own cases. They accuse the Democratic Party of seeking to monopolize key committee chairmanships, including the Justice and Legislation Committee and economic committees, to push through legislation for political purposes, such as extending the president's term and enacting special prosecution laws. The party warned that such "arrogance and self-righteousness" would ultimately be judged by the public.

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The fundamental principle of justice, that no one can be a judge in their own case, is being trampled by the president, the executive branch, and the ruling party in collusion.