Cheong Wa Dae on Petition to Dismiss Judge Who Approved '8·15 Protest': "Exclusive Authority of National Assembly and Constitutional Court"

410,000 Sign Petition to Dismiss Judge Who Approved August 15 Gwanghwamun Protest... "Removal Only If Impeached or Sentenced to Prison Term or Higher"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House stated that the petition requesting the dismissal of the judge who approved the August 15 Gwanghwamun protest is "an exclusive authority of the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court."

On the 14th, the Blue House announced, "412,604 citizens agreed to the petition for the dismissal of the judge who approved the August 15 Gwanghwamun protest."

The Blue House explained, "According to Article 106, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution, judges cannot be dismissed except by impeachment or sentencing to imprisonment or higher penalties, and under current law, dismissal or removal through disciplinary action is not possible. Since 'impeachment of judges' is decided by the National Assembly through a resolution of impeachment and judged by the Constitutional Court according to the Constitution, it falls under the exclusive authority of the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court, making it difficult to respond."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The petitioner requested the dismissal or impeachment of the judge who endangered protest participants, ordinary citizens, and public officials such as the police, emphasizing that the judiciary must protect the health and lives of the people. The petitioner also mentioned the need for a legal system that holds judges accountable for their rulings.

Previously, on August 14, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in a case regarding the suspension of the Seoul Mayor's order banning outdoor gatherings on Liberation Day, stating that "the ban exceeded the minimally necessary scope and restricted the freedom of assembly," thereby allowing some groups to hold Liberation Day protests.

The Blue House explained, "The protest was reported to comply with quarantine rules and to have 100 participants, but in reality, more than 100 times that number participated, and many confirmed cases occurred among the participants."

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