Rival Parties Clash Over Justice Minister's Absence from National Assembly

▲ Rep. Seo Young-kyo, chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, declares the opening of a full committee meeting at the National Assembly on the 21st.

Rival parties engaged in a war of words over Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho's absence from the full meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee today (the 21st).

Minister Chung was absent from today's meeting due to health reasons, and Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo attended in his place to conduct work reports.

In response, People Power Party lawmaker Park Hyung-soo, the opposition secretary of the committee, criticized, "It is deeply regrettable that the Justice Minister did not attend," adding, "Is it the attitude of a Justice Minister not to fulfill his responsibilities just because he submitted a resignation? It is simply incomprehensible."

Rep. Park then turned to Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairperson Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "You should have first explained why the minister was unable to attend, why the committee chairperson permitted it, and why the vice minister had to give the opening remarks for the work report." He added, "This is inappropriate. Measures must be taken so that the minister can attend."

Regarding Minister Chung's resignation, lawmaker Kwak Kyu-taek of the same party raised suspicions, stating, "After the Democratic Party's national convention, a new leadership has been established, and the mission is clear: the cancellation of the indictment against President Lee Jae-myung." He added, "There are rumors that (Minister Chung) is trying to resign quickly to avoid taking responsibility for canceling the indictment."

In response, Chairperson Seo Young-kyo explained, "I also called (Minister Chung) directly," adding, "He said he could not come because he had a severe headache and was in too much pain. Since today's (meeting) involves the review of the settlement of accounts, I approved (his proxy attendance) for that part."

Regarding the protests from the People Power Party lawmakers, Chairperson Seo counterattacked, saying, "I understand that I spoke sufficiently with Secretary Park Hyung-soo and the People Power Party. You should not make personal attacks disguised as procedural remarks as if there is something underhanded about the chairperson's conduct."

Rep. Kim Seung-won, the ruling party secretary from the Democratic Party, also defended Chairperson Seo, saying, "I believe it would be right for the Justice Minister to attend," but adding, "It seems that the chairperson judged the minister's condition and circumstances to be unsuitable and permitted and understood his absence today."

Meanwhile, pan-ruling camp members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party, Rebuilding Korea Party, and Progressive Party held a press conference at the National Assembly today to urge Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign, criticizing him for making recommendations for the appointment of Supreme Court justices in writing, contrary to past convention.

They criticized, "Chief Justice Cho respected the appointment authority of Yoon Suk Yeol while ignoring that of President Lee. It is a 'monstrous double standard'."

They further demanded the rejection of the recommendation, stating, "We must not be dragged down by the slander of Cho Hee-dae, who was appointed by insurrection mastermind Yoon Suk Yeol and seeks to revive Yoon. The Blue House must review all means permitted by the Constitution and laws to protect the President's legitimate appointment authority."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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