Choo Mi-ae: “Judge Jee postponed the trial just to enjoy the weekend... People lamented it was ‘shameless’ and ‘pathetic’”

[Financial News] Choo Mi-ae, Chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly and lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), criticized the postponement of the final hearing in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s insurrection case. She remarked, “Watching them fail to conclude the trial as promised and ultimately postpone it, simply because they could not endure even eight hours in court and wanted to enjoy the weekend, people could not help but lament how truly shameless and pathetic that was.”
Appearing on Maeil Broadcasting Network (MBN)’s program “Jung Woon-gap’s In-Depth Analysis” on the 11th, Choo said, “The courtroom is being used as a stage for a grand fraud on the public, yet the presiding judge did nothing to stop it.”
Earlier, Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jee Kui-yeon, held a final hearing on the 9th for former President Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection, and for former Minister of National Defense (MND) Kim Yong-hyun and others on charges of engaging in key insurrection-related duties. However, as the examination of documentary evidence submitted by the defendants dragged on, the court set an additional hearing date for the 13th.
Above all, many point to the so-called “courtroom filibuster” by former Minister Kim’s side—an attempt to obstruct proceedings through unlimited debate—as the primary cause of the delay. At the same time, criticism is mounting over the court’s failure to firmly rein in such tactics and exercise tighter control over the proceedings.
Meanwhile, from the appeals stage, the insurrection leadership case is expected to be handled by a Special Panel for Insurrection Cases. Yoon and the opposition camp have already signaled plans to file a Request for Adjudication on Constitutionality of Law and a constitutional complaint against the Special Panel for Insurrection Cases. In response, Choo stated, “Even if the insurrection forces try to stir up controversy, there is absolutely no constitutional flaw.”
She added, “By the time the bill passed through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, almost all constitutional concerns had already been removed.” She went on, “With the mindset of double-checking every last detail, we listened to public opinion once more and carried out additional revisions right before sending it to the plenary session, so we made thorough preparations.”
Regarding the DPK leadership’s call for Representative Kim Byung-ki, who resigned as floor leader amid various allegations, to voluntarily leave the party, Choo said, “A decision by the DPK Ethics Committee is scheduled for the 1st,” adding, “Since the Ethics Committee does not have investigative powers, this is not an issue for him to argue over facts and evidence there.”
She continued, “What the party is asking about is political responsibility. Investigative authorities will determine any criminal responsibility, but political responsibility is by no means light.”
Choo further commented, “The higher the position, the heavier the responsibility,” and added, “When the public looks at a political party, any damage to the party’s overall credibility can leave a deep scar, so a swift decision is needed at this point.”
gaa1003@fnnews.com An Ga-eul Reporter