The Democratic Party of Korea said it will pass a bill to establish a dedicated insurrection trial panel (special insurrection tribunal) during the December extra session of the National Assembly. It also stressed that it will prepare measures to quell constitutional concerns raised over the dedicated insurrection trial panel. As the deadlines for the three special counsels on insurrection, Kim Keon-hee, and Chae Hae-byeong draw near, it said it will consider additional special counsel investigations.
On the 7th, Democratic Party Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae held a press briefing at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "We will proceed without a hitch with the introduction of a dedicated insurrection trial panel in line with the public's demand for fundamental and swift liquidation of the insurrection forces, and we will also consider additional special counsel investigations."
Cho said, "It is true that even among those who believe a dedicated insurrection trial panel is necessary, there are voices worried about constitutional issues," adding, "We will of course examine it closely until just before passage, review it in a way that dispels concerns, and supplement it as needed."
He went on, "The purpose of the dedicated insurrection trial panel is to conduct insurrection trials thoroughly and swiftly, and this is a measure to dispel concerns that the opposite could happen," adding, "Through the extra session convened from Jan. 10, we will pass the dedicated insurrection trial panel act to ease public concerns through specialized insurrection trials."
The dedicated insurrection trial panel act has already passed a plenary meeting of The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee under the leadership of the Democratic Party. However, in the legal community and the opposition, criticism continues that establishing a dedicated insurrection trial panel undermines the independence of the judiciary. Even within the broader pro-government camp, some argue that if a request for a constitutional review is filed against this bill, trials related to the Dec. 3 martial law could be suspended.
In response to the question, "Did you consult with the presidential office on the dedicated insurrection trial panel act?" Cho said, "As far as I know, there has been no consultation with the presidential office on this issue." He added, "The courts also viewed through the court presidents' meeting that the Dec. 3 martial law was illegal, so they should respond to public demands," and said, "We will hear various opinions through a general assembly of lawmakers tomorrow regarding the dedicated insurrection trial panel act."