National Assembly 'Fast-Track Clash' Democratic Party Trial Delayed Again... Postponed to May

Park Jumin and Kim Byungwook Request Change of Trial Date Due to Attendance at Plenary Session

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The trial of current and former Democratic Party lawmakers indicted in connection with the National Assembly Fast Track (rapid processing agenda) clash incident has been postponed once again.

The Criminal Division 12 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Oh Sang-yong) announced on the 24th that the trial date scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 24th for Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye and others has been changed.

The defendants in this case include Minister Park, Democratic Party lawmakers Park Joo-min and Kim Byung-wook, former lawmakers Lee Jong-gul and Pyo Chang-won, aides, and party officials, totaling 10 people.

Among them, the current lawmakers Park and Kim submitted opinions to the court stating that they needed to attend the plenary session of the National Assembly to handle the supplementary budget related to COVID-19, and the other defendants also agreed to change the trial date.

The last trial held on November 25 of last year was postponed twice due to the spread of COVID-19 and other reasons.

Meanwhile, Minister Park, who was appointed as Minister of Justice during this period, became the first sitting Minister of Justice to stand trial as a criminal defendant, but the trial date was changed again this time. The trial is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on May 26.

Meanwhile, Minister Park and others were indicted early last year on charges of assaulting and injuring lawmakers and party officials of the Liberty Korea Party (now People Power Party) during the Fast Track clash incident in 2019.

He appeared in court as a defendant on September 23 and November 25 of last year and denied the charges, stating, "It was a legitimate official act to break through the Liberty Korea Party officials who tried to block the meeting hall."

Currently, 27 people including former Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn and former lawmaker Na Kyung-won are also on trial at the same court’s Criminal Division 11 (Chief Judge Sung Bo-gi). They also deny the related charges.

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