Lee Junseok: "If a 7-Month Delay in Yoon's Trial Is Not Justice, Is a 3-Year Delay in President Lee's Trial Justice?"

"The model the Democratic Party dreams of already exists in North Korea"
"President Lee should also serve as Chief Justice and leader of the Democratic Party"

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, is questioning Prime Minister Kim Minseok during the government-related political inquiry held at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, criticized President Lee Jaemyung, stating that the separation of powers is the final bulwark against the abuse of power, and that anyone attempting to dismantle this bulwark is a "villain" of democracy.

On the 16th, Lee Junseok wrote on his social media that the government and the ruling party are threatening impeachment against Chief Justice Cho Heedae simply because they are dissatisfied with his rulings. He added, "One may point out that Chief Justice Cho Heedae's rulings are problematic because they are too swift, but whether he has turned a matter that should have resulted in acquittal into a conviction can only be determined by resuming the trial at the President's decision."

He went on to mention President Lee Jaemyung's trial for violations of the Public Official Election Act, saying, "If you claim that 'delayed justice is not justice and trials must proceed quickly' because President Yoon Sukyeol's insurrection trial has now dragged on for about seven months, then is the delayed trial of President Lee Jaemyung, which has been ongoing for over three years since indictment, truly just?"

President Lee Jae-myung is smiling while listening to participants' remarks at the Core Regulation Rationalization Strategy Meeting held at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency Presidential Office Press Photographers Group

Lee Junseok referred to the fact that China's top leader simultaneously serves as President, General Secretary of the Communist Party, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and suggested that if President Lee Jaemyung finds the separation of powers cumbersome, he should pursue constitutional amendments to serve as both President and Chief Justice, as well as leader of the Democratic Party.

Lee Junseok stated, "North of the armistice line in North Korea, their leader simultaneously holds the positions of Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, and Supreme Commander of the People's Army. No matter which model you choose, both have been tested in their own way for decades, and would likely fit well with the world the Democratic Party envisions. Coincidentally, both China and North Korea claim their systems are 'democratic.'"

He concluded, "The government and the ruling party could simply ask their YouTube mouthpieces to promote the 'President-Chief Justice-Democratic Party Leader system' as a new form of Korean democracy. The separation of powers is the final bulwark against the abuse of power. Anyone who tries to break down this bulwark is truly the villain of democracy."