The Democratic Party of Korea on the 16th urged the judiciary to disclose how Jee Kui-youn's bench (Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 25) came to be assigned to exclusively handle trials related to the Dec. 3 martial law situation.
Policy Committee Chair Han Jeong-ae held a press briefing at the National Assembly that day and criticized, "At Jee Kui-youn's bench, cases related to rebellion and abuse of authority allegations involving key figures in the Dec. 3 martial law situation have been intensively designated and assigned."
Han, the policy committee chair, demanded, "Tell us clearly how Jee Kui-youn's bench came to function as a bench dedicated to rebellion cases, what communications took place in the process, and what decision-making proceeded." Han emphasized, "The court has a duty to be more candid and relieve the public's frustration."
Regarding the establishment of a bench dedicated to rebellion cases raised by some, Han, the policy committee chair, said, "It is not easy to change the bench in the middle of a trial," adding, "It is necessary to prepare to form a separate, coequal bench and designate incoming (cases) in the future."
On the deadline for handling the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Act, Han said, "I think a few more bills will probably come forward," adding, "We have not set a deadline such as the end of this year, and we plan to proceed after sufficient discussion."
Regarding the joint fact sheet (joint explanatory material), which was the result of negotiations in the U.S.-Korea tariff and security fields announced on the 14th, Han stressed that a Special Act on Investment in the United States needs to be enacted. Han, the policy committee chair, said, "We will also monitor changes in U.S. legal provisions and executive orders at the National Assembly level."
On abolishing the crime of breach of trust, Han also said it would take time. Han, the policy committee chair, said, "It seems opinions have somewhat converged on commissioning a research project. It will take a bit more time than expected." However, Han judged that the third amendment to the Commercial Act, including making the cancellation of treasury shares mandatory, is highly likely to be handled within the year.
Han, the policy committee chair, said, "There is no need to provide tax benefits for (stock) long-term investors in this budget session of the National Assembly," adding, "We can sufficiently review it next year and will look at it comprehensively."