Oh Young-jun (23rd Judicial Research and Training Institute) candidate for Constitutional Court justice said on the 18th that he found the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn the case against President Lee Jae-myung regarding election law a little unusual.
During the National Assembly confirmation hearing held that morning, People Power Party Representative Kwak Kyu-taek asked in relation to the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn the case regarding President Lee Jae-myung (then the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea) for violating election law, delivered with a guilty intent on May 1, "Is the rapid (review) and ruling to overturn by the Supreme Court to the extent that (Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and the justices) are reported and subjected to a national investigation?" To this, Oh responded, "Regarding the Supreme Court ruling, I fundamentally agree that it is necessary to respect it as it is the highest institution under the Constitution."
Representative Kwak also asked, "When the justices review the (trial) records, isn't there no need to look at the records since the factual disputes have been settled in the first and second trials?" In response, Oh stated, "In fact, the denial of facts may not be a reason for appeal, but there are cases where it is necessary to look at it overall when making a ruling to overturn the original judgment."
Afterward, Democratic Party of Korea Representative Kim Gi-pyo asked, "The candidate said that 'it is necessary to respect the Supreme Court ruling if possible,' but is this a situation worth respecting? Do you respect the ruling?" To this, Oh replied, "It is difficult for me to evaluate as I am not involved."
Oh also answered Representative Kim's question about whether there had been a precedent for the Supreme Court to rule within a month of receiving a case, saying, "During my time as a research officer, there has never been a case like that in plenary session." When asked what he thought at that time, Oh replied, "I thought it was a little unusual."
In addition, People Power Party Representative Jo Bae-sook asked questions regarding President Lee's consecutive criminal trials based on 'Article 84 of the Constitution,' which stipulates presidential immunity from prosecution, asking if "the court is bending to the political realm's gaze and yielding." To this, Oh only responded, "I believe it is a judgment that the court has carefully considered."
Furthermore, when Democratic Party of Korea Representative Seo Young-kyo asked if it was correct to determine the cancellation of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest based on time rather than days in the trial related to the insurrection case presided over by the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 25 (Chief Judge Ji Gwi-yeon), Oh responded, "There are parts that differ from general practice," and added, "I believe that the fundamental principles should be diligently examined when deciding important cases."