by Bang Jeil
Published 19 Feb.2025 09:07(KST)
Updated 20 Feb.2025 07:17(KST)
Reform Party lawmakers including Lee Jun-seok and Cheon Ha-ram visited Dongduk Women’s University and the Seoul Western District Court in succession to inspect the sites related to the violent incidents and held meetings with officials from the institutions. According to political circles on the 18th, Representative Lee, Cheon Ha-ram, Acting President and Floor Leader of the Reform Party, and Lee Joo-young, Chair of the Policy Committee, visited Dongduk Women’s University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, respectively.
Reform New Party lawmakers, including Representative Lee Jun-seok, visited Dongduk Women's University and received explanations from the school regarding the situation at the time, suspicions of external forces' involvement, and the necessity of a thorough investigation," the Reform New Party stated. Provided by Reform New Party
원본보기 아이콘The Reform Party, which first visited Dongduk Women’s University, stated, "This site visit was arranged to recognize the seriousness of the recent violent incidents and to seek measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future," adding, "Reform Party lawmakers visited Dongduk Women’s University and listened to explanations from the school regarding the situation at the time, suspicions of external forces’ involvement, and the necessity of a thorough fact-finding investigation." They continued, "Acting President Cheon and the lawmakers agreed on the need to clearly reveal the facts through an investigation and to prepare fundamental measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents."
On the same day, Representative Lee Jun-seok wrote on Facebook, "I went in person to visually confirm the actual damage caused by the (Dongduk Women’s University) riot incident and to convey concerns that the rioters and external forces might disrupt academic schedules after the semester begins or lynch students who did not participate in the riot," adding, "Irreparable damage was caused on campus with lacquer spray, and I hope that anti-intellectualism does not overshadow intellectualism. I will continue to pay attention so that students who did not participate in the violence can carry on with their school life normally."
Reform New Party lawmakers, including Representative Lee Jun-seok, visited Dongduk Women's University and the Seoul Western District Court in succession to inspect the sites related to the violence incident and held meetings with officials from the institutions. Provided by Reform New Party
원본보기 아이콘After visiting Dongduk Women’s University, the Reform Party lawmakers visited the Western District Court and directly confirmed traces of the rioters’ intrusion and the damaged site. After visiting the Western District Court, Acting President Cheon said, "In the past, there have been cases where martial law troops broke glass and entered during illegal martial law situations," adding, "Physical violence against the legislative and judicial branches is a serious matter that shakes the foundation of the rule of law, and strict legal responsibility must be imposed on those involved." He also emphasized, "It is necessary to produce a white paper containing the exact progress and problems related to this incident as basic data for preventing recurrence." Chair Lee Joo-young said, "If we cannot protect the court, we cannot ultimately protect the law or the safety of the people," adding, "We will spare no effort to uphold the rule of law."
Meanwhile, trials for 63 people involved in violent acts such as mass riots that occurred last month at the Seoul Western District Court are scheduled to take place next month. On the same day, Yonhap News quoted the announcement from the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court, reporting that the first trial date for those involved in the Western District Court incident, who are charged with special trespassing of a building and obstruction of official duties, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the 10th of next month. Among the 63 defendants, the first trial for 24 people will be held on March 10, followed by trials for 20 and 19 people on March 17 and 19, respectively. The defense team includes former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who has expressed willingness to provide free legal defense for the defendants.
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