Itanhee Confesses to Panic Disorder... "Started After Experiencing Judicial Farming, Will Return After Recovery"

Former judge Itanhee, recruited by the Democratic Party of Korea ahead of the April 15 general election, is being interviewed on the 19th at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Lee Tanhee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was elected in the last general election and is a former judge, confessed that he developed panic disorder due to the judicial scandal and announced that he would temporarily leave the National Assembly.

On the 6th, just a week after his term as a member of the National Assembly began, Lee revealed on his Facebook that he is suffering from panic disorder.

He explained, "The symptoms began after I was instructed to manage files related to the background investigation of judges during the tenure of former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae in 2017. I refused and submitted my resignation. Although I overcame it with treatment and support from those around me, the controversy over the judicial scandal continued during the party admission and nomination process, causing a relapse."

Lee was the person who refused the order to organize files on background investigations of fellow judges during former Chief Justice Yang's tenure and instead exposed it.

He said, "Even after being elected, I experienced extreme anxiety for about two months, unable to sleep more than 2 to 3 hours a day. I have been enduring somehow, but my body and mind seem unable to escape the pain from February 2017." He continued, "I repeatedly wake up at 2 a.m. drenched in cold sweat without having proper sleep. My body is increasingly unresponsive, and there are moments when my mind temporarily feels paralyzed. Psychiatrically, I have been advised to take absolute rest and stop working for now," describing his condition.

Lee added, "Although I am afraid of criticism or resentment, honestly confessing my condition is my duty and responsibility as an elected public official. If the public understands, I want to fully focus on recovering my health. I will not take too long."

Meanwhile, Woo Hee-jong, a Seoul National University professor who served as co-representative of the Democratic Party's satellite party, the Together Citizens' Party, during the general election, said on his Facebook on the 7th, "I did not realize his suffering even when he was right beside me. It truly breaks my heart."

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