'National Assembly Fast-Track Clash' Democratic Party Lawmakers Deny Charges in First Trial: "Legitimate Legislative Activity"

The scene during the National Assembly fast-track clash in April last year [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Democratic Party lawmakers facing trial over the 'National Assembly Fast Track (expedited bill processing) clash incident' denied the charges.

The Criminal Division 12 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Oh Sang-yong) held the first pretrial hearing on the 12th for a total of 10 defendants, including Democratic Party lawmakers Park Beom-gye, Lee Jong-geol, Pyo Chang-won, Kim Byung-wook, Park Joo-min, their aides, and party officials, who were indicted on charges of joint injury and joint assault under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (Violence Punishment Act).

None of the lawmakers appeared in court at the first pretrial hearing. The pretrial hearing is a procedure held before the formal trial to organize the defendant's position on the charges, clarify issues, and plan the trial. Defendants are not obligated to attend the trial.

The Democratic Party lawmakers denied the charges, citing immunity privileges as grounds for illegality exemption. The lawyers for Park Beom-gye, Lee Jong-geol, and Kim Byung-wook stated, "At the time, Park was trying to hold a meeting as the chairman of the Special Committee on Judicial Reform, and Lee and Kim were only attempting to submit a bill," adding, "These actions are protected by the immunity privileges explicitly stated in the Constitution for lawmakers."

The lawyer for Pyo Chang-won also argued that "even if there was physical contact with members of the Korean Party and others, it occurred during lawful legislative activities of a lawmaker," insisting that the indictment should be dismissed based on the same reasoning.

The lawyer for Park Joo-min also claimed, "(Park) was merely fulfilling the constitutional duties imposed on lawmakers like the others," invoking legislative immunity.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.