Kweon Seong-dong, the People Power Party floor leader, criticized on the 14th, saying, "The followers of Lee Jae-myung have begun to blatantly produce the 'Lee Jae-myung acquittal law,'" adding that this is "a clear signal of Lee Jae-myung's dictatorial politics that intends to transform the separation of powers into the domination of powers."
That morning, the criticism intensified ahead of the hearing for the chief justice related to a Supreme Court full panel ruling for Lee Jae-myung, which is being held under the auspices of the Democratic Party of Korea.
That morning, Kweon held an 'emergency meeting of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee' in the National Assembly office and said, "An unprecedented Supreme Court hearing on Lee Jae-myung's Election Act violation trial will be held 20 days before the presidential election. Retaliating against the defendant Lee Jae-myung for causing embarrassment is a grotesque character assassination against the justices."
Kweon further noted, "The Democratic Party's first-term lawmakers proposed a special investigation law regarding Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae, stating that it is heartbreaking to see first-term lawmakers competing in loyalty to Lee Jae-myung while leaving aside election campaigning and focusing on intimidating the judiciary," and added that, "This is an attempt to label the Supreme Court as a criminal organization to pave the way for the criminal Lee Jae-myung's path to power."
He then said, "If Lee Jae-myung is elected, he will amend the law to include cases under investigation and trial as eligible for a pardon and will self-pardon himself," suggesting that he is someone who would do even that.
Earlier, Jeong Cheong-rae, the Democratic Party's chair of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, stated in a full meeting that they would process the amendment to the Election Act to delete the 'act' condition among the requirements for the crime of publicizing false facts.
Kweon continued, "Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae and the justices have decided not to attend today's hearing, preserving their honor as judges," and stated, "However, Jeong Cheong-rae is increasing the level of intimidation, saying, 'That's why a state investigation and a special investigation are necessary.'"
Kweon also urged, "Justices, please protect the honor and independence of the judiciary," adding that, "The People Power Party will combat the unconstitutional and undemocratic coup attempt by the Lee Jae-myung faction, which aims to place the judiciary under the feet of the massive opposition party in today's hearing."
Yoo Sang-beom, the People Power Party's Judiciary Committee member, stated, "In no OECD country has there been an instance of intimidating judges or increasing the number of justices out of dissatisfaction with rulings," adding that, "Attempts to suppress and seize the judiciary cannot be tolerated in 21st century Korea, which has achieved democratization," referencing the Democratic Party of Korea's recent proposal to double the number of justices.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is pressuring, claiming that Chief Justice Jo exerted undue pressure during the process of overturning Lee Jae-myung's election law case with a 'guilty implication.'