President Lee Jae-myung on the 3rd, the first anniversary of the Dec. 3 martial law, invited the "five branches" to the presidential office, saying they are "the heads of key institutions responsible for safeguarding constitutional order," and shared the status and views on six months of state affairs. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, both current and former Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers, called for swift trials of those involved in martial law. By contrast, Chief Justice Jo Hee-de, referring to judicial reform pushed by the Democratic Party of Korea, said it "should be carried out prudently after sufficient discussion and a process of public deliberation."
On this day, Lee invited Speaker Woo, Prime Minister Kim, Chief Justice Jo, Constitutional Court President Kim Sang-hwan, and National Election Commission Chairman Roh Tae-ak to the Yongsan presidential office for a luncheon meeting. Lee said, "It was not on purpose that we chose today, but it turned out to be a meaningful day," adding, "Because all of you are heads of key institutions responsible for safeguarding constitutional order, I think today carries even more special meaning."
Earlier that day, a court rejected an arrest warrant for Choo Kyung-ho, former floor leader of the People Power Party, who is suspected of obstructing the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law. From the broader pro-government camp including the Democratic Party of Korea came warnings of strong judicial reform, saying, "Jo Hee-de's judiciary trampled the public's desire to settle the insurrection." The Democratic Party of Korea is currently pushing measures including a constitutional complaint for trials (a fourth-instance system), an insurrection-only trial panel, an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices, and the abolition of the National Court Administration.
Chief Justice Jo said, "Not everyone can agree with the judiciary's decisions, but the conclusions of individual trials are ultimately determined after sufficient review and due process within the institutional framework of the three-instance system stipulated by the Constitution and law," adding, "In that regard, I believe their legitimacy and credibility can be ensured." He also said it would be inappropriate for the chief justice to comment on trials related to martial law, adding, "I trust that individual trial panels will adjudicate swiftly and fairly solely in accordance with the Constitution and law."
He said, "We are well aware that many citizens have concerns and worries about the judiciary," but added, "Because the judicial system performs an important function of protecting citizens' rights and maintaining social order, I think it is desirable that changes be made prudently after sufficient discussion and a process of public deliberation." The remark expressed concern about the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, unilaterally pushing judicial reform.
However, Lee Kyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said there were no remarks related to judicial reform during the closed-door conversation that day. Answering related questions, he said, "There was no conversation that could be interpreted politically." Instead, Chief Justice Jo said, "There are unfortunate cases of highly qualified judges moving to the private sector," and proposed improving their treatment, and Lee said, "Given that rulings are the highest and final conclusions, judges' treatment needs to be improved," and reportedly ordered concrete measures to be drawn up.
Before the luncheon the same day, Lee issued a special statement and repeatedly called for stern punishment of those involved in the insurrection. That evening, Lee will join a march led by civic groups in front of the National Assembly. The event marks the first anniversary of lifting martial law and calls for punishment of those involved. Lee and many figures from the broader pro-government camp, including the Democratic Party of Korea, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and The Progressive Party, will attend in large numbers.