"Loss of Assembly Member Position" Choi Kang-wook: "A Dismal and Ruthless Era"

Park Dae-chul "Justice delayed but inevitable"
Kang Min-jung "Kim Myung-soo sacrifices Choi Kang-wook"

Regarding the Supreme Court's confirmation on the 18th of a suspended prison sentence resulting in the loss of parliamentary seat for Choi Kang-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted for issuing a false internship certificate to the son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, Choi expressed his feelings by calling it a "tragic and ruthless era" while also raising his voice to say he would "live as a healthy citizen."

On the 18th, Choi stated on his social media (SNS), "I am leaving like this without properly fulfilling the promise I made when I entered politics."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "It is a tragic and ruthless era, but now I will live as a healthy citizen looking at the wide sky behind me, searching for new stars and new hope," adding, "Although it is unlikely, I hope no one becomes discouraged or gives up because of me. The conscientious forces and democratic citizens will gather and eventually restore this country to its rightful place."

He then quoted former President Obama’s words, "When They Go Low, We Go High!" and said, "It is time to think about opening another door with dignity."

The opinions of the ruling and opposition parties regarding his loss of parliamentary seat were divided. Kang Min-jung, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "With only six days left in the term, Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo of the Supreme Court has cleanly dealt with Choi Kang-wook," and asked, "What was so fearful that they had to make Choi Kang-wook a scapegoat?"

She also said, "Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo abandoned judicial justice until the end," and added, "The solemn judicial robes of Kwon Young-jun and Seo Kyung-hwan, who repeatedly promised to uphold judicial justice during the confirmation hearing two months ago, are also shameful."

Park Dae-chul, Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said, "Justice will prevail," and added, "I think it is fortunate that the Kim Myung-soo judiciary, facing retirement, has at least returned to common sense in its final ruling."

He continued, "However, it took too long. Delayed justice is not justice," and said, "It will be difficult to escape responsibility for the mistake of undermining the foundation of the judiciary, the last bastion of democracy."

Park Soo-young, head of the Yeouido Institute of the People Power Party, commented, "A piece of the Democratic Party where fabrication has become routine."

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