Han Duck-soo's detention set to expire; Lee Sang-min's follows in December

Democratic Party ratchets up pressure on Supreme Court

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (left) and former Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min. [Yonhap]
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (left) and former Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min. [Yonhap]

The Democratic Party of Korea on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to deliver a swift ruling in the appellate review of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who faces insurrection charges, with his detention set to expire in 10 days.

Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo said in a written briefing that the special prosecutor act on insurrection requires the Supreme Court to hand down its ruling within three months of the appeals court's sentencing date. "The Supreme Court's delay in proceedings is a clear violation of that requirement," Lee said.

Lee warned that if Han were released, it would be tantamount to Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae's court setting him free. "The detention period for former Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min also expires on Dec. 18," the spokesperson said. "The Supreme Court must stop stalling and deliver a prompt, rigorous ruling."

Rep. Kim Eui-kyum of the Democratic Party, who leads the party's side on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also weighed in on social media, noting that the Supreme Court had scheduled the next hearing in Han's trial for Nov. 19. "This amounts to letting someone convicted of insurrection and sentenced to 15 years in prison roam the streets in broad daylight," Kim said.

Kim questioned whether the court's timeline bends for certain individuals. "I want to ask whether the Supreme Court's clock stretches and shrinks like a rubber band only in front of specific people," he said. "Insurrection criminals who inflicted national trauma brazenly walking the streets is itself the destruction of democracy and the subversion of the constitutional order."

Kim added: "Can we really allow the people who stood in the cold night to stop martial law and defend the Constitution to tremble in fear again because of these insurrectionists? The Supreme Court must stake its very existence on its decision in this unprecedented assault on democracy. The National Assembly will also exercise its authority."

Rep. Park Ju-min of the Democratic Party also directed sharp criticism at Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae. In a Facebook post, Park issued a stark warning: "I warn you in the gravest terms — if you have decided to release Han Duck-soo, abandon that plan immediately. There is a limit to our patience. If Han is released, that will mean real war."


an@heraldcorp.com