■ Host: Anchor Lee Ha-rin, anchor Jung Ji-woong
■ Starring: Park Sang-gyu, current affairs critic, Choi Chang-ryul, special professor at Yongin University
* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information. Please specify [YTN News Special] when quoting.
[Anchor]
Let's take a look at Choi Chang-ryul, a special professor at Yongin University, and Park Sang-gyu, a current affairs critic. Welcome. Regardless of ideology, it is a mixed day as a Korean citizen. It's the fifth presidential arrest, right?
[Park Sang Kyu]
I think it was a terrible day for all the people watching, regardless of their feelings. You have to see that in downtown Seoul. It came out earlier, but more than 40,000 citizens were not enough to protest against the court, leading to violence and some even inside the court, which was described as the 2020 U.S. Capitol invasion, the so-called January 6 incident, and 85 people were arrested. That kind of violence is not desirable for any purpose. Even from the perspective of citizens who oppose President Yoon's arrest, I think there would have been far more people who did not agree because it was a serious threat to democracy in the Republic of Korea. Anyway, I think the ball is going to trial now.
So, if there is a dispute, the Constitutional Court's judgment must also fight the credibility of the evidence, legal principles, and statements through the trial, and I thought that the issue should be resolved in a fair and correct way, and in a way that is not controversial at all.
[Anchor]
Let me ask you the same question. The professor must have watched everything until President Yoon's arrest warrant was issued early this morning, so how did you see it?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
I thought it would be issued, but I don't know. So, personally, I don't think it'll be easy to dismiss it. I'm not a lawyer. In terms of various matters, it was issued around 3 o'clock anyway. As you can see, you broke into the court. Of course, it is illegal and should be investigated and punished, but the most worrisome thing is that there was a demonstration by President Yoon's supporters at Hannam-dong's residence this time, and that happened at the court early this morning. It's the reality of our Korean society. We don't know who will be next in leadership.Ma was worried all day long about how to heal that. Regardless of the pros and cons, Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Suk Yeol. What are we going to do with that? In fact, I think we have to make a constitutional amendment to change the power structure and fundamentally revise the 1987 system. But it's not a space where we can talk about constitutional amendment at all. I had this thought.
It's time for the nation's youth and intellectuals to speak out. It's both extremes. Look at the message that comes from the power of the people. He's talking about denying the rule of law. It's not that, but CEO Lee Jae-myung still seems to be using a delay strategy, and about his judicial risk. The opposition party is acting in extreme ways as the opposition party does. This is the reality of Korean society. In the meantime, I think the current president's message was given to his supporters. He's sending a message like incitement. I think it'll continue to come out from now on. Then, I think there is a high possibility of an early presidential election ahead of the presidential election. You have to be quoted to become an early presidential election. In the process, I was worried a lot about how I could guarantee that there was no violence or disorder beyond this chaos. That's why the ruling and opposition parties and politicians are talking about things like that, even though they can stop their politics and see a few ruling party politicians. Everyone does this kind of analysis.
Aren't you playing self-politics? Isn't it aimed at the party leader? I don't know what it is.I hope that at least those who are members of Congress and have an influence, regardless of whether they are or not, are concerned about this situation. I won't tell you not to thoroughly understand your camp, your personal badges, or politics, but will you continue to lead that enormous situation? I hope the ruling party leadership will also talk about acknowledging the judicial system, and the opposition party will not push too much. I think it's a fundamental story.I think Ma is very important.
[Anchor]
So is the presidential office. We also connected with the ruling party's emergency committee a little while ago, and Kwon Young-se, chairman of the emergency committee, stayed silent, and now announced his position and discussed the issue of equity with other opposition politicians. You're talking about the investigation of CEO Lee Jae-myung without detention.
[Park Sang Kyu]
That's what I think. It was refined and YTN's coverage came out, but the first reaction was very high. It is an unconstitutional illegal arrest that is insufficient even to say it is a sham. Of course, it's quite intense with parts that you don't agree with. not enough to say that it's a sham This expression is drawing attention, but originally, the handle part of the spinning wheel is called the groin, and it is also called a sham. It's from Gore, and I'm not saying that it's bad, it's bad that it's not bad. Anyway, that's what I said, so I criticized him intensely. And just now, Kwon Young-se, chairman of the People's Power Emergency Committee, and Kwon Sung-dong, floor leader, seem to be virtually denying the judiciary's judgment beyond expressing great regret. Of course, I think it could be a message to the supporters.
But anyway, there's a saying like this. For football, bad calls are part of the game. It will become clear if you play soccer with AI or VAR, but the referee is human and the judge is human. However, this time, four judges, including four judges, a judge at the Seoul Central District Court, and Cha Eun-kyung, a judge at the Seoul Western District Court, were involved in President Yoon's case, including an arrest warrant, an arrest suit, an extension before that, and an arrest warrant. Therefore, this would be a problem if one person continued to do it, but I would like to tell you first that you should follow this part. From now on, it's time for a trial. the judgment of the court We need to investigate, but the trial has become important. You will be prosecuted and tried. In the trial, the presumption of innocence should be applied. In this regard, to briefly talk about Lee Jae-myung, the representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, the Seoul High Court, which is in charge of the second trial of the election law, decided not to pay dividends until March 12, and decided not to receive them. What are you talking about? It's a career equal court of three senior judges, and they're saying they're going to see this case until March 12th. What kind of guidelines can it be? It's supposed to be done by February 15th. As you all know, 633. But you can't, until February 15th, physically. But that means you have to do it by March 12th.
Then, the public began to doubt why the principle of presumption of innocence should apply only to representative Lee Jae-myung. To borrow another expression, Lee Jae-myung's time has come. So CEO Lee Jae-myung should also be tried. If he claims to be the most likely presidential candidate, he will confidently address his charges. Aren't you the first to be judged? You strongly plead not guilty to this. Why should the trial be postponed when pleading not guilty? There is no one because the door is closed earlier. It wasn't served on the notice. Then the public defender incident came. Now, if Representative Lee Jae-myung doesn't want him to remain in the leadership position of the opposition party anymore, he will do the same in this area, and I will be tried the same way, and if he remembers the amount of the first trial. one year in prison and two years of probation. If the sentence or abnormality comes out, the court should be able to give a suspended sentence in this case as well. As to why these exceptions should be applied, the public has begun to look seriously at this issue, let me tell you this.
[Anchor]
Now, the president and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung pointed out that it is time to wait for the judiciary to judge and respect the situation of the judiciary. I just got some news, so I'll organize it for you. The Presidential Secretariat and the National Security Office held a meeting of senior secretaries presided over by Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-seok from 9 a.m. just now.
The information has been broken. Chief of Staff Chung Jin-seok should play a role in stabilizing state affairs. He said diplomacy and security management should be supported in light of international sentiment.
[Anchor]
And we decided to cooperate with the Cabinet on the management of high exchange rates, high interest rates, and external variables.
[Anchor]
It seems that the intention is to strengthen the inner room without being shaken by the unprecedented situation in which the incumbent president was arrested today. I'll give it to you again. The Presidential Secretariat and the National Security Office held an emergency senior secretary meeting at 9 a.m. Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok said he would do his part to stabilize the state of affairs.
[Anchor]
Today's meeting was attended by key chiefs, including Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-suk, National Security Office chief Shin Won-sik, and Policy Office chief Sung Tae-yoon. We will send you additional news as soon as we receive it. I just talked about the senior secretary meeting, and he said that the public will find out whether Jeong Jin-seok, the chief of staff, is also a shepherd of the constitutional controversy or an emergency measure to stop it.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
It's a political message. What court instigates to do a constitutional or a national constitutional act? That doesn't mean anything. It's a reckless story.
[Anchor]
Wouldn't this mean that the emergency martial law was an emergency measure to stop the constitutional turmoil?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
By the way, does it make sense that the emergency martial law stopped the constitution? It was 45 days ago. Oh, my God, a president of a country, the leader of the opposition party, has gone on to impeach the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, according to their argument. The reduced budget was passed without consultation with the ruling party.They tried to correct that part and discipline and warn the forces who disturbed the national constitution. It's in this context. As you said, the four judges talked about it all. It's not just one judge. But is it meaningful to talk about that now? I don't think it means much.
[Anchor]
I just broke the news a while ago, and Director Jeong Jin-seok mentioned that we should not be swayed stably. He should play his role in running the state administration. I mentioned it like this, too.
[Park Sang Kyu]
If you think about it, the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Trump has virtually begun. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., local time on the 20th, but it's so cold because of the Arctic wave. It's the first time we're doing it indoors since Reagan. It's that cold. Anyway, the fact that it actually started is a four-day event. So, it should be said that the second administration has already been launched. By then, President Biden had entered the final phase of dealing with the emergency. At such a severe time, so except for Korea, almost Japan and the whole world, President Xi Jinping said he would not go to the inauguration ceremony after receiving invitations on the phone, but doesn't he say he talked about various pending issues?
We talk about TikTok, we talk about trade, we talk about tariffs. Good results, etc. We are the only ones who are hiding while watching this situation where we break the window of the Seoul Western District Court. It's a very concerning situation. We also need to quickly regain our status as G20 countries and world trading partners. How long will we be so buried in domestic politics? Let's quickly clear up the confusion. Now, it is going beyond investigation to the time of trial. The trial even talked about the opposition leader.Anyway, we have to try President Yoon's trial. What are you talking about? Isn't it over because all the military officials were arrested one after another? That's not true. Even those arrested by military officials may have some misstatements for themselves. Evidence, facts, and facts must be strictly examined. If so, President Yoon must have something to say, regardless of his right to defend himself. This part goes to a time when the constitutional judges have to prove everything thoroughly as if they were doing it one by one.
Then, we leave it there and Chung Jin-suk, the current head of the presidential office, has come out, but we have to think about the country, including Acting President Choi Sang-mok. Shouldn't the Republic of Korea roll? That's why we have a meeting and talk about international issues and economic issues. So, the people should be cool-headed and watch this situation on a two-track basis. One is to leave the Western District Court and the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit, and now we have to look at the Constitutional Court and the court that will be in charge of the trial if prosecuted. You have to watch without intervening.
Considering the economy, what will help Korea the most? There are a lot of big opposition parties here, but it is also an axis of state administration, which cannot be said to be responsible. It's not the time for CEO Lee Jae-myung to attack and criticize anyone. It's because you're going to smell it yourself, right? Then you have to take a careful and responsible attitude. I think it's time for the people and politics to think about this two-track together.
[Anchor]
On the screen, we are showing the scene of the Western District Court riot of the strong supporters mentioned by the critic earlier. You break the window like this. There was an incredible scene where he crossed the wall and took away the police shield and even assaulted him. Has a court never been so lawless?
[Choi Chang Ryul] There wasn't
. There are so many words that it's the first time in the history of the constitution, so the first time in the constitution continues, and that's also the first time in the constitution. There were times when soldiers went on a rampage, but during the dictatorship. That's not how ordinary citizens go on a rampage. It's the same even if it's not a court. It is a denial of the state's distrust of public power, denial of the judicial system, and the rule of law of the Republic of Korea. I'm rejecting democracy. You have to strictly control that. Deviation of some supporters, you shouldn't look at it like this. It means that the police will respond strictly. That's how it's becoming lawless. So there's no law or anything. I think they think that I just need to support the president. I think he thinks that supporting the president protects the great rule of law. Those people. It's a very wrong idea. That part should be punished strictly because we also collect evidence to protect our rule of law.
[Anchor]
The president's side also expressed regret and lawyer Seok Dong-hyun expressed concern that if the violence continues, he could be caught up in the offensive or counter-attack by left-wing forces. Let's connect the Western District Court scene. The acting police chief is expected to speak. Let's listen to it. Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Lee Ho-young visited the scene of the riot in the Western District Court. I think he's going to speak. We will connect the site and listen to the sound of the site. As I told you earlier, strong supporters of the president rioted in the Western District Court on the news of President Yoon's arrest. I showed you the screen. Supporters crossed the wall, broke the window, took away the police shield, and even assaulted him. 86 people have been arrested on the spot. In this regard, the acting head of the National Police Agency visited the scene.
[Hoyoung Lee]
I think this situation is a serious challenge to the rule of law and I would like to say that we will continue to strictly deal with illegality and violent protests.
[Reporter]
Since yesterday, there have been threats of murder and threats against the judge who issued the warrant, so do you have any plans to respond to them?
[Hoyoung Lee]
We will thoroughly investigate the threats and find out who made them. In addition, we would like to say that we will do our best to protect ourselves.
[Reporter]
You said you would do it as an arrest investigation principle, but are you planning to do it all regardless of the severity of the people who stormed yesterday?
[Lee Ho-young]
We plan to strictly deal with those who caused this kind of violence and illegality, including arrest investigations. So far, it has been reported that there has been no change. I think it can be increased in the future through evidence or something like that. Inside the courthouse, careers stand on the outskirts of the border.
[Reporter]
Isn't on-site evidence also in progress from outside?
[Hoyoung Lee]
In the investigation part, we are taking pictures and collecting evidence. Right now, we don't have it. I don't have one right now. We will investigate, sufficiently collect evidence, preserve the site, and do so.
[Reporter]
There are a lot of things that have been instigated by far-right YouTube, is there room for the investigation to expand to that part as well?
[Hoyoung Lee]
I'm probably going to investigate enough about the background and things like that.
[Reporter]
a part of propaganda
[Hoyoung Lee]
We will also thoroughly investigate the violence. I don't think that's the stage to tell you yet. I don't think the answer to why the violence took place is appropriate.
[Reporter]
To what extent is your personal protection carried out?
[Hoyoung Lee]
I need to discuss that with the judge. When we ask for personal protection, we always consult with the parties and haven't received a report on it yet.
[Reporter]
What's the situation like inside?
[Hoyoung Lee]
It's damaged a lot, and it's damaged a lot in windows and walls. I'll be able to talk to you through the spokesperson's office next time.
[Anchor]
We heard the remarks of acting police chief Lee Ho-young, who is acting due to the vacancy of Commissioner Jo Ji-ho. I visited the Western District Court, where violence occurred after the issuance of the presidential warrant. I think this is a significant challenge to the legal system. He said he will strictly deal with the illegality.
[Anchor]
He said he would thoroughly investigate the threat of a warrant judge. It seems to be related to Cha Eun-kyung, a senior judge who issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol. And he said he will strictly deal with violence and illegality this time, including arrest investigation. He also said that more than 80 people are currently arrested as current offenders and that it is likely to increase through evidence. It seems to be intended to prevent further unsavory events in the future as much as possible, as career in the court is currently under way at the outer boundary. We will also investigate the background of the far-right YouTube instigation, he said. The acting police chief said this at the end. I will investigate the background of the far-right YouTube instigation. How can I understand it in this situation?
[Park Sang Kyu]
I saw it as very deplorable. There was also a YouTuber who broadcast live until the end of the so-called Super Chat, where he was caught and arrested, but it doesn't make sense.
[Anchor]
Are you talking about cash support through Super Chat?
[Park Sang Kyu]
That's what they say. I don't know because I haven't seen that either. No matter how good the money is, you're taking advantage of this situation. In a way, it's a situation of abuse, but since Hannam-dong, I've earned hundreds of millions of dollars a month.No, I earned a few million won lightly. It has increased a huge number of supporters and subscribers over the period. It's all good. Such a thing directly collides with the judicial system, and it's like that even on the spot? I don't think that's possible. I think that citizens should cover up the jade stone. Then there's a speciality to all the charges. What this is is that it went up to the third floor of the court. Would you have just gone up there? He went to catch someone, didn't he?
That's even more surprising if it's Judge Cha Eun-kyung. The reason why Judge Cha Eun-kyung was in charge of this even though it was not Judge Cha Eun-kyung was in charge of it was because it was the weekend, and the two warrant judges Lee Soon-hyung and Shin Han-mi were unable to do it, so Judge Cha, who was on duty on the weekend, was in charge. Looking at Cha's experience as a judge, he is a judge who has only tried after working at a law firm for about five years. He doesn't do any of the so-called administrative judges and administrative positions. And honestly, he was a reputable judge who focused only on legal principles and trials. I don't think he's biased against anyone or anything. This is the conclusion after a long deliberation of the facts on the warrant until 3 a.m. That's why.
Of course, there is no fear of running away, but the incumbent president of the Republic of Korea. And because the issue is so serious and there are still concerns about the destruction of evidence, the warrant was issued according to principle. So I told you about this earlier. You can look forward to it. I think you can look forward to it and hope for it. Politically, however, when a judgment is made, the government should accept it first and show a mature democratic consciousness that moves on to the next stage. And supporters, lawyer Seok Dong-hyun kept talking about young people, but recently, young people have been very conscious of the fact that there are a lot of support for President Yoon or the ruling party, but I found that more than 86 people were not young people and not all elderly people.
I don't think it's appropriate to talk like this, young people, targeting the class. There may be some people who are excited at the scene, but you don't do this much. About this part. In addition, for YouTubers who want to make money, citizens should respond to this situation by selecting them with mature eyes. You can express your political intentions as much as you want. You can agree and disagree. However, everything needs to be mature and restrained within the boundaries of the law to get its justification. Violence can lead to greater violence and lead to greater condemnation, ridicule and headwinds. Let me tell you this.
[Anchor]
As you said, supporters are very emotional, but the president's lawyer Seok Dong-hyun also said, "This is not what the president wants. We need to regain our coolness. That's what I said.Is there a possibility that the president will send a message directly to calm down his intense emotions?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
Even if the president sends a message about these things, it seems likely that he will make it in a favorable direction for his investigation and trial in the future. Critic Park Sang-gyu's words are very principled and good, but I don't think he can deliver that level of message. Maybe he's being investigated while he's in custody. There's a high possibility of prosecution. It's going to be 99%. And then I'm going to be put on trial, and lawyer Seok Dong-hyun and we don't have to talk about the case that broke into this court for a long time. Because it's such a violation of the law. The acting police chief also talked about it earlier. I'll be serious.
And aren't you talking about the purpose of arrest investigation as a principle? Whether it is internal division in our society or not, President Yoon's arrest and subsequent trials seem to continue to refuse. These things are worrying. It's part of that. It's part of that, and it's very violent. That's what worries me the most.
[Anchor]
The key issue regarding the arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol issued early this morning is probably the 12.3 martial law, but the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit wrote this in the arrest warrant. I specified the crime of being the leader of the rebellion. This part must have played a major role in issuing an arrest warrant, right?
[Park Sang Kyu]
Of course. Because isn't former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun the first to be tried after he walked out to the prosecution and was investigated? The rest are in a row. Once again, the time has come for a trial and it will happen. However, in all the breaking news, the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit should come out to President Yoon by 2 o'clock today. I think President Yoon will thoroughly ignore the investigation by the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit. Of course, there is a more than 90% chance of not attending. This is because the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit did not have the right to investigate, and the core of the illegal part is why the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit filed an arrest suit with the Seoul Central District Court three times in a row. It's President Yoon's side. President Yoon's side is also pointing out the problem of issuing all the arrest warrants and arrest warrants to the Seoul Western District Court, right?
In doing so, the warrant issued came from the Western District Court, of course, but I'm not going to comply with it. And I split it up for 10 days. the period of the arrest warrant So I'm going to do the next 10 days. Soon, it will be a Lunar New Year holiday in 6-7 days. I think there's a high possibility that I'll let go of the 10 days. If it doesn't come out, the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit will do a visit investig I'll have to do my research somehow. I think the time for the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit is over. That's all for Director Oh Dong-woon's role. Because you'll be satisfied because you did a good job. This is what General Eulji Mundeok says. The victory is already high, so I hope you will stop being satisfied and step down. In my personal opinion, the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit will now make several attempts to investigate.
However, now it has to be handed over to the prosecution, which has the right to prosecute, and instead of waiting 10 days, it has to be handed over to the prosecution, which completes further investigation and prosecutes. And the Democratic Party unilaterally passed it.Ma believes that there is a high possibility that the general independent counsel will reach an agreement between the ruling party and the opposition party, and Choi Sang-mok will reject it. Then, it goes through the process of re-decision. Anyway, this problem is also politically problematic because he said he grouped 6 and 11 investigation targets into 6 types, but it's a problem because he put an all-round cheat key called a related recognition case in No. 6. It's incidental to do press briefings every day. Wouldn't it be important to use the wisdom to yield the rest of the things when you get something big like this to conduct a rebellion special prosecutor?
They put some kind of foreign exchange attraction crime in there and took it out. However, I can do it all with a lump called a related cognitive case. Related cognition case. I can read the intention to do foreign exchange and do the Kim Gun-hee case because it's all coming out. They say no. We have to deal with these issues politically and go to the special prosecutor's office. The prosecution is also in the middle of the offense and defense. In this way, the political community should now solve this process. They don't let the people take to the streets anymore and do that. We need to go together in the direction of stabilizing politics and economy. Only then can Korea open 2025 brightly. I'm going to be stuck here forever. That's what I think.
[Anchor]
We still need to see if the ruling and opposition special prosecutors can be agreed on, so we will look into it in a little while. The president's side said it was anti-constitution and anti-rule as the reason for issuing the arrest warrant. Will the response strategy remain unchanged in the future?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
I told you earlier. I'm going to use the same strategy. So I will use a strategy to delay the trial, and Kwon Young-se, chairman of the emergency committee, told you in considerable detail earlier. It goes against the presumption of innocence. And the investigation itself, especially the warrant issued. I'm saying that it's hard to admit this part. Even if there's no way not to respect, I don't admit it. It's anti-constitutional. I don't know what's anti-constitutional. Again, on December 3rd, all these situations are happening because of emergency martial law, unconstitutionality, and illegal emergency martial law. I don't know why you don't talk about it.
[Anchor]
You're repeating this claim over and over again that there is no right to investigate rebellion in the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
I'll continue to do it. It could be a kind of defense strategy. No, the judicial system in Korea is a first, second, and third trial system, so I think it can be a problem even in the final Supreme Court. However, the judges' judgment is that not all of these things, such as the issuance of arrest warrants, are unconstitutional and not illegal. The warrant was re-claimed. I did it before the objection, but it was rejected. You were so proud of your arrest. That's also in the Seoul Central District Court. They said what they were saying should be done by the Central District Court, but they did it at the Central District Court. Didn't the Central District Court dismiss that part?
[Anchor]
There was an analysis that the rejection of the arrest suit became a self-imposed measure.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
That's why I did it in the Central District Court. If it was done in the Western District Court, I could protest again, but there is no reason to protest. Nevertheless, in my view, even if there is a small gap, it will probably continue to cause that kind of judicial controversy, legal debate, and so on. So that's what they're talking about, that's how they're talking about anti-constitution, anti-law, and so on. However, the Korean court issued a warrant, rejected the objection, and rejected the arrest suit. Then, which country do these people live in? I want to ask them that. I'm just a lawyer, so I can defend myself. I can criticize it. I'm just saying that the logic is so poor. I wish I could develop a different logic. It is anti-constitution and anti-legal to develop something that is legally meticulous.
The best troops in Korea, such as the 707 Special Forces, are mobilized to invade the National Assembly, and that's a brief warning, where is a two-hour civil war? Isn't it the part where people who say these things are read as anti-constitutional? Because they keep doing this, their supporters become more encouraged, encouraged, radical, and more violent. They are distorting and misleading the situation. I think so.
[Anchor]
You mentioned this part that was dismissed after requesting an arrest suit from President Yoon, but then there is also a procedure such as an arrest suit. Do you think President Yoon will continue to carry out these related procedures?
[Park Sang-gyu]
President Yoon's lawyers' strategy is to do everything they can as Professor Choi said. Former Prosecutor General Jung Sang-myung also joined, so he is no longer far behind the 17 members of the National Assembly prosecution over there in terms of numbers. Wasn't the number two high during the warrant hearing that went to the Western District Court again this time, 8:6? Now, in the case of former Prosecutor General Jung Sang-myung, he was a close senior who even officiated at President Yoon, and apart from such a human relationship, I tell you again, the trial will be a long and difficult process. Of course, prior to that, the judgment of the Constitutional Court against President Yoon Suk Yeol and the judgment to decide whether to dismiss him became really important. So, if the criminal prosecution is filed, it will take time to proceed to the trial process and if the criminal trial fights for the crime of civil war under the criminal law, but isn't it going to be one day? If that happens, I'll tell you again, Article 112 of the Constitutional Court Act will be summoned. In this case, the provisions of the law clearly state that. If this collides, President Yoon's side can ask the Constitutional Court to stop the trial. Of course, I'll make a request. You said earlier that you will also ask for restraint pride. There is a view that it should not be done, but for President Yoon, everything has to be done, and that could be a strategy of defense. That's probably what the Constitutional Act is like.
Then the judges of the Constitutional Court will have a meeting and vote again. However, the variable here is the trend of public opinion. The Constitutional Court has repeatedly said that public opinion started with its roots in Germany, and it is a very political judicial institution. It's more political than judicial institutions. It doesn't mean that you're wary of it, but it's an institution that has a destiny to interpret the constitution in consideration of the political situation. It was like that before when it was rejected by former President Roh Moo Hyun and when it was quoted by former President Park Geun Hye. You can't blame it. So, it may be different from the trial process, which is conducted thoroughly according to the law and conscience. There are infinite variables in the future.
So, you saw that President Yoon also said that he would go with the flow of water at the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit. There's a lot of connotation to it. Where does the water flow? It flows from the top to the bottom and flows in a stream. There's a lot of room to interpret it, but the water can't flow from bottom to top. These parts take time. I also say that you need to look at the parts that you need to look at calmly and go quickly, but it is all closely related to the direction of public opinion.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
The Constitutional Court has basic principles. at the trial of the Constitutional Court It's scarcity and fairness. Scarcity is not to say do it recklessly or omit legal procedures. It means you have to do it quickly. Until when does the president stay in office? It's because of whether it's cited or rejected. It needs to be organized first. I will follow various evidence, principles and witnesses. We're also having a hearing. So, I don't think it'll take long. I think two people will retire on April 18th. It is very likely that it will happen before then. I think it will be like that at the latest in mid or late March.
I don't know. From what I can tell. I'm not saying that it should be like that, but I think it shouldn't take longer than you think. Then it is quoted if. If it is dismissed, it will be reinstated as president. If it is cited, we need to hold a presidential election and stabilize it quickly. Aren't the ruling and opposition parties continuing to make arguments based on their own logic and from a bilateral perspective? Look, isn't it in the story of lawyer Seok Dong-hyun? The emergency decree is part of the exercise of emergency powers granted by the president in the Constitution. The president's supporters will acknowledge, but an urgent event for the world. Is this what the Constitution has given? This isn't right.
I'm continuing to insist on this. So in my view, the Constitutional Court trial is not that complicated. No matter how much the public opinion is followed, the Constitutional Court should also do it based on evidence and legal principles, and I think it will be around March. In addition to that, I didn't mention Lee Jae-myung, but Lee Jae-myung also needs to hold the second trial quickly. It's supposed to be done on January 15, but it's already passed. Then why do many people, especially those who criticize representative Lee Jae-myung or support President Yoon, delay the trial of representative Lee Jae-myung? Even if we can't compare it together at all, the court and the Constitutional Court should recognize it. That's how it gets stronger because you keep delaying it. That's the reality. I'm adding to that.
[Anchor]
It is also interesting to see how active President Yoon will be after talking about the impeachment trial of the Constitutional Court. After directly reviewing the arrest warrant, the warrant was issued this time. Originally, he expressed his position several times that he would go directly to the Constitutional Court trial. What do you think will happen?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
Well, yesterday, I said I wouldn't appear in the arrest warrant review, but I suddenly changed my position. From what I see, I think there is a high possibility that a warrant will be issued. I think that's why he went there actively to plead and to make various theories. Anyway, a warrant was issued. I'll be able to go out at least once on the pleading date. Since the hearing is scheduled for a long time. Even if it can come out once, there will be a limit. It has been revealed that the content of the pleading date continues to insist. The president's claims and things like that. So even if I go out, will that mean a lot? Because an arrest warrant was issued, an arrest warrant was issued, and an indictment would be issued soon, but the president's commitment to the investigation has no significance now. There are a lot of evidence statements from soldiers, and other soldiers' warrants also mention President Yoon more than 140 times, in the indictment. In my opinion, I wonder if it will mean much even if I attend the pleading day.
[Park Sang Kyu]
In principle, I agree with that and there is only one variable. In a little while, or already now, President Yoon will have changed his suit or clothes that went to the Western District Court into a sky blue embroidery, and some kind of number will have been attached to the left. From now on, this outfit will be maintained. If that happens, you will want to appear in the Constitutional Court in that way. The reason is that I look at it like that. This could be advantageous for a public opinion contest. There is a possibility that the president will wear such clothes and accept the rope in some ways, although I will cover it with a towel.
[Anchor]
Do you think it can cause sympathy?
[Park Sang Kyu]
I won't say it's sympathy. However, there is a possibility of trying to influence the judgment of political law enforcement agencies, and it can be another problem for them to be aired on TV. Since it is not a logical matter and there are many emotional aspects, President Yoon's appearance can have a significant impact. That's my view.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
But wearing a prison uniform is according to the law. I can't help but wear it. That is a separate matter. I don't agree with that that the public opinion battle... relates that part to the public opinion battle.You're supposed to wear a wet suit. I can't wear my own clothes anymore. It was my own clothes until yesterday, but not anymore.
[Anchor]
Can't I change when I go to an open court?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
You have to wear a prison uniform. Why do you change? Haven't you seen the past? Didn't you see Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo also come out holding hands in a blue suit?
[Anchor]
In the case of former President Park Geun Hye, he once changed into plain clothes.
[Park Sang Kyu]
At that time, there was a problem after the citation was completed four months later. So that's what Professor Choi said. That's right, but he said he might want it. That's according to the law, so I won't go out to show you, right? I added that because I thought I wouldn't do that.
[Anchor]
I see. We talked with the two about the unprecedented situation in which an incumbent president is arrested. It was with Choi Chang-ryul, a special professor at Yongin University, and Park Sang-gyu, a current affairs critic. Thank you.
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■ Starring: Park Sang-gyu, current affairs critic, Choi Chang-ryul, special professor at Yongin University
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[Anchor]
Let's take a look at Choi Chang-ryul, a special professor at Yongin University, and Park Sang-gyu, a current affairs critic. Welcome. Regardless of ideology, it is a mixed day as a Korean citizen. It's the fifth presidential arrest, right?
[Park Sang Kyu]
I think it was a terrible day for all the people watching, regardless of their feelings. You have to see that in downtown Seoul. It came out earlier, but more than 40,000 citizens were not enough to protest against the court, leading to violence and some even inside the court, which was described as the 2020 U.S. Capitol invasion, the so-called January 6 incident, and 85 people were arrested. That kind of violence is not desirable for any purpose. Even from the perspective of citizens who oppose President Yoon's arrest, I think there would have been far more people who did not agree because it was a serious threat to democracy in the Republic of Korea. Anyway, I think the ball is going to trial now.
So, if there is a dispute, the Constitutional Court's judgment must also fight the credibility of the evidence, legal principles, and statements through the trial, and I thought that the issue should be resolved in a fair and correct way, and in a way that is not controversial at all.
[Anchor]
Let me ask you the same question. The professor must have watched everything until President Yoon's arrest warrant was issued early this morning, so how did you see it?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
I thought it would be issued, but I don't know. So, personally, I don't think it'll be easy to dismiss it. I'm not a lawyer. In terms of various matters, it was issued around 3 o'clock anyway. As you can see, you broke into the court. Of course, it is illegal and should be investigated and punished, but the most worrisome thing is that there was a demonstration by President Yoon's supporters at Hannam-dong's residence this time, and that happened at the court early this morning. It's the reality of our Korean society. We don't know who will be next in leadership.Ma was worried all day long about how to heal that. Regardless of the pros and cons, Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Suk Yeol. What are we going to do with that? In fact, I think we have to make a constitutional amendment to change the power structure and fundamentally revise the 1987 system. But it's not a space where we can talk about constitutional amendment at all. I had this thought.
It's time for the nation's youth and intellectuals to speak out. It's both extremes. Look at the message that comes from the power of the people. He's talking about denying the rule of law. It's not that, but CEO Lee Jae-myung still seems to be using a delay strategy, and about his judicial risk. The opposition party is acting in extreme ways as the opposition party does. This is the reality of Korean society. In the meantime, I think the current president's message was given to his supporters. He's sending a message like incitement. I think it'll continue to come out from now on. Then, I think there is a high possibility of an early presidential election ahead of the presidential election. You have to be quoted to become an early presidential election. In the process, I was worried a lot about how I could guarantee that there was no violence or disorder beyond this chaos. That's why the ruling and opposition parties and politicians are talking about things like that, even though they can stop their politics and see a few ruling party politicians. Everyone does this kind of analysis.
Aren't you playing self-politics? Isn't it aimed at the party leader? I don't know what it is.I hope that at least those who are members of Congress and have an influence, regardless of whether they are or not, are concerned about this situation. I won't tell you not to thoroughly understand your camp, your personal badges, or politics, but will you continue to lead that enormous situation? I hope the ruling party leadership will also talk about acknowledging the judicial system, and the opposition party will not push too much. I think it's a fundamental story.I think Ma is very important.
[Anchor]
So is the presidential office. We also connected with the ruling party's emergency committee a little while ago, and Kwon Young-se, chairman of the emergency committee, stayed silent, and now announced his position and discussed the issue of equity with other opposition politicians. You're talking about the investigation of CEO Lee Jae-myung without detention.
[Park Sang Kyu]
That's what I think. It was refined and YTN's coverage came out, but the first reaction was very high. It is an unconstitutional illegal arrest that is insufficient even to say it is a sham. Of course, it's quite intense with parts that you don't agree with. not enough to say that it's a sham This expression is drawing attention, but originally, the handle part of the spinning wheel is called the groin, and it is also called a sham. It's from Gore, and I'm not saying that it's bad, it's bad that it's not bad. Anyway, that's what I said, so I criticized him intensely. And just now, Kwon Young-se, chairman of the People's Power Emergency Committee, and Kwon Sung-dong, floor leader, seem to be virtually denying the judiciary's judgment beyond expressing great regret. Of course, I think it could be a message to the supporters.
But anyway, there's a saying like this. For football, bad calls are part of the game. It will become clear if you play soccer with AI or VAR, but the referee is human and the judge is human. However, this time, four judges, including four judges, a judge at the Seoul Central District Court, and Cha Eun-kyung, a judge at the Seoul Western District Court, were involved in President Yoon's case, including an arrest warrant, an arrest suit, an extension before that, and an arrest warrant. Therefore, this would be a problem if one person continued to do it, but I would like to tell you first that you should follow this part. From now on, it's time for a trial. the judgment of the court We need to investigate, but the trial has become important. You will be prosecuted and tried. In the trial, the presumption of innocence should be applied. In this regard, to briefly talk about Lee Jae-myung, the representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, the Seoul High Court, which is in charge of the second trial of the election law, decided not to pay dividends until March 12, and decided not to receive them. What are you talking about? It's a career equal court of three senior judges, and they're saying they're going to see this case until March 12th. What kind of guidelines can it be? It's supposed to be done by February 15th. As you all know, 633. But you can't, until February 15th, physically. But that means you have to do it by March 12th.
Then, the public began to doubt why the principle of presumption of innocence should apply only to representative Lee Jae-myung. To borrow another expression, Lee Jae-myung's time has come. So CEO Lee Jae-myung should also be tried. If he claims to be the most likely presidential candidate, he will confidently address his charges. Aren't you the first to be judged? You strongly plead not guilty to this. Why should the trial be postponed when pleading not guilty? There is no one because the door is closed earlier. It wasn't served on the notice. Then the public defender incident came. Now, if Representative Lee Jae-myung doesn't want him to remain in the leadership position of the opposition party anymore, he will do the same in this area, and I will be tried the same way, and if he remembers the amount of the first trial. one year in prison and two years of probation. If the sentence or abnormality comes out, the court should be able to give a suspended sentence in this case as well. As to why these exceptions should be applied, the public has begun to look seriously at this issue, let me tell you this.
[Anchor]
Now, the president and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung pointed out that it is time to wait for the judiciary to judge and respect the situation of the judiciary. I just got some news, so I'll organize it for you. The Presidential Secretariat and the National Security Office held a meeting of senior secretaries presided over by Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-seok from 9 a.m. just now.
The information has been broken. Chief of Staff Chung Jin-seok should play a role in stabilizing state affairs. He said diplomacy and security management should be supported in light of international sentiment.
[Anchor]
And we decided to cooperate with the Cabinet on the management of high exchange rates, high interest rates, and external variables.
[Anchor]
It seems that the intention is to strengthen the inner room without being shaken by the unprecedented situation in which the incumbent president was arrested today. I'll give it to you again. The Presidential Secretariat and the National Security Office held an emergency senior secretary meeting at 9 a.m. Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok said he would do his part to stabilize the state of affairs.
[Anchor]
Today's meeting was attended by key chiefs, including Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-suk, National Security Office chief Shin Won-sik, and Policy Office chief Sung Tae-yoon. We will send you additional news as soon as we receive it. I just talked about the senior secretary meeting, and he said that the public will find out whether Jeong Jin-seok, the chief of staff, is also a shepherd of the constitutional controversy or an emergency measure to stop it.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
It's a political message. What court instigates to do a constitutional or a national constitutional act? That doesn't mean anything. It's a reckless story.
[Anchor]
Wouldn't this mean that the emergency martial law was an emergency measure to stop the constitutional turmoil?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
By the way, does it make sense that the emergency martial law stopped the constitution? It was 45 days ago. Oh, my God, a president of a country, the leader of the opposition party, has gone on to impeach the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, according to their argument. The reduced budget was passed without consultation with the ruling party.They tried to correct that part and discipline and warn the forces who disturbed the national constitution. It's in this context. As you said, the four judges talked about it all. It's not just one judge. But is it meaningful to talk about that now? I don't think it means much.
[Anchor]
I just broke the news a while ago, and Director Jeong Jin-seok mentioned that we should not be swayed stably. He should play his role in running the state administration. I mentioned it like this, too.
[Park Sang Kyu]
If you think about it, the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Trump has virtually begun. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., local time on the 20th, but it's so cold because of the Arctic wave. It's the first time we're doing it indoors since Reagan. It's that cold. Anyway, the fact that it actually started is a four-day event. So, it should be said that the second administration has already been launched. By then, President Biden had entered the final phase of dealing with the emergency. At such a severe time, so except for Korea, almost Japan and the whole world, President Xi Jinping said he would not go to the inauguration ceremony after receiving invitations on the phone, but doesn't he say he talked about various pending issues?
We talk about TikTok, we talk about trade, we talk about tariffs. Good results, etc. We are the only ones who are hiding while watching this situation where we break the window of the Seoul Western District Court. It's a very concerning situation. We also need to quickly regain our status as G20 countries and world trading partners. How long will we be so buried in domestic politics? Let's quickly clear up the confusion. Now, it is going beyond investigation to the time of trial. The trial even talked about the opposition leader.Anyway, we have to try President Yoon's trial. What are you talking about? Isn't it over because all the military officials were arrested one after another? That's not true. Even those arrested by military officials may have some misstatements for themselves. Evidence, facts, and facts must be strictly examined. If so, President Yoon must have something to say, regardless of his right to defend himself. This part goes to a time when the constitutional judges have to prove everything thoroughly as if they were doing it one by one.
Then, we leave it there and Chung Jin-suk, the current head of the presidential office, has come out, but we have to think about the country, including Acting President Choi Sang-mok. Shouldn't the Republic of Korea roll? That's why we have a meeting and talk about international issues and economic issues. So, the people should be cool-headed and watch this situation on a two-track basis. One is to leave the Western District Court and the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit, and now we have to look at the Constitutional Court and the court that will be in charge of the trial if prosecuted. You have to watch without intervening.
Considering the economy, what will help Korea the most? There are a lot of big opposition parties here, but it is also an axis of state administration, which cannot be said to be responsible. It's not the time for CEO Lee Jae-myung to attack and criticize anyone. It's because you're going to smell it yourself, right? Then you have to take a careful and responsible attitude. I think it's time for the people and politics to think about this two-track together.
[Anchor]
On the screen, we are showing the scene of the Western District Court riot of the strong supporters mentioned by the critic earlier. You break the window like this. There was an incredible scene where he crossed the wall and took away the police shield and even assaulted him. Has a court never been so lawless?
[Choi Chang Ryul] There wasn't
. There are so many words that it's the first time in the history of the constitution, so the first time in the constitution continues, and that's also the first time in the constitution. There were times when soldiers went on a rampage, but during the dictatorship. That's not how ordinary citizens go on a rampage. It's the same even if it's not a court. It is a denial of the state's distrust of public power, denial of the judicial system, and the rule of law of the Republic of Korea. I'm rejecting democracy. You have to strictly control that. Deviation of some supporters, you shouldn't look at it like this. It means that the police will respond strictly. That's how it's becoming lawless. So there's no law or anything. I think they think that I just need to support the president. I think he thinks that supporting the president protects the great rule of law. Those people. It's a very wrong idea. That part should be punished strictly because we also collect evidence to protect our rule of law.
[Anchor]
The president's side also expressed regret and lawyer Seok Dong-hyun expressed concern that if the violence continues, he could be caught up in the offensive or counter-attack by left-wing forces. Let's connect the Western District Court scene. The acting police chief is expected to speak. Let's listen to it. Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Lee Ho-young visited the scene of the riot in the Western District Court. I think he's going to speak. We will connect the site and listen to the sound of the site. As I told you earlier, strong supporters of the president rioted in the Western District Court on the news of President Yoon's arrest. I showed you the screen. Supporters crossed the wall, broke the window, took away the police shield, and even assaulted him. 86 people have been arrested on the spot. In this regard, the acting head of the National Police Agency visited the scene.
[Hoyoung Lee]
I think this situation is a serious challenge to the rule of law and I would like to say that we will continue to strictly deal with illegality and violent protests.
[Reporter]
Since yesterday, there have been threats of murder and threats against the judge who issued the warrant, so do you have any plans to respond to them?
[Hoyoung Lee]
We will thoroughly investigate the threats and find out who made them. In addition, we would like to say that we will do our best to protect ourselves.
[Reporter]
You said you would do it as an arrest investigation principle, but are you planning to do it all regardless of the severity of the people who stormed yesterday?
[Lee Ho-young]
We plan to strictly deal with those who caused this kind of violence and illegality, including arrest investigations. So far, it has been reported that there has been no change. I think it can be increased in the future through evidence or something like that. Inside the courthouse, careers stand on the outskirts of the border.
[Reporter]
Isn't on-site evidence also in progress from outside?
[Hoyoung Lee]
In the investigation part, we are taking pictures and collecting evidence. Right now, we don't have it. I don't have one right now. We will investigate, sufficiently collect evidence, preserve the site, and do so.
[Reporter]
There are a lot of things that have been instigated by far-right YouTube, is there room for the investigation to expand to that part as well?
[Hoyoung Lee]
I'm probably going to investigate enough about the background and things like that.
[Reporter]
a part of propaganda
[Hoyoung Lee]
We will also thoroughly investigate the violence. I don't think that's the stage to tell you yet. I don't think the answer to why the violence took place is appropriate.
[Reporter]
To what extent is your personal protection carried out?
[Hoyoung Lee]
I need to discuss that with the judge. When we ask for personal protection, we always consult with the parties and haven't received a report on it yet.
[Reporter]
What's the situation like inside?
[Hoyoung Lee]
It's damaged a lot, and it's damaged a lot in windows and walls. I'll be able to talk to you through the spokesperson's office next time.
[Anchor]
We heard the remarks of acting police chief Lee Ho-young, who is acting due to the vacancy of Commissioner Jo Ji-ho. I visited the Western District Court, where violence occurred after the issuance of the presidential warrant. I think this is a significant challenge to the legal system. He said he will strictly deal with the illegality.
[Anchor]
He said he would thoroughly investigate the threat of a warrant judge. It seems to be related to Cha Eun-kyung, a senior judge who issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol. And he said he will strictly deal with violence and illegality this time, including arrest investigation. He also said that more than 80 people are currently arrested as current offenders and that it is likely to increase through evidence. It seems to be intended to prevent further unsavory events in the future as much as possible, as career in the court is currently under way at the outer boundary. We will also investigate the background of the far-right YouTube instigation, he said. The acting police chief said this at the end. I will investigate the background of the far-right YouTube instigation. How can I understand it in this situation?
[Park Sang Kyu]
I saw it as very deplorable. There was also a YouTuber who broadcast live until the end of the so-called Super Chat, where he was caught and arrested, but it doesn't make sense.
[Anchor]
Are you talking about cash support through Super Chat?
[Park Sang Kyu]
That's what they say. I don't know because I haven't seen that either. No matter how good the money is, you're taking advantage of this situation. In a way, it's a situation of abuse, but since Hannam-dong, I've earned hundreds of millions of dollars a month.No, I earned a few million won lightly. It has increased a huge number of supporters and subscribers over the period. It's all good. Such a thing directly collides with the judicial system, and it's like that even on the spot? I don't think that's possible. I think that citizens should cover up the jade stone. Then there's a speciality to all the charges. What this is is that it went up to the third floor of the court. Would you have just gone up there? He went to catch someone, didn't he?
That's even more surprising if it's Judge Cha Eun-kyung. The reason why Judge Cha Eun-kyung was in charge of this even though it was not Judge Cha Eun-kyung was in charge of it was because it was the weekend, and the two warrant judges Lee Soon-hyung and Shin Han-mi were unable to do it, so Judge Cha, who was on duty on the weekend, was in charge. Looking at Cha's experience as a judge, he is a judge who has only tried after working at a law firm for about five years. He doesn't do any of the so-called administrative judges and administrative positions. And honestly, he was a reputable judge who focused only on legal principles and trials. I don't think he's biased against anyone or anything. This is the conclusion after a long deliberation of the facts on the warrant until 3 a.m. That's why.
Of course, there is no fear of running away, but the incumbent president of the Republic of Korea. And because the issue is so serious and there are still concerns about the destruction of evidence, the warrant was issued according to principle. So I told you about this earlier. You can look forward to it. I think you can look forward to it and hope for it. Politically, however, when a judgment is made, the government should accept it first and show a mature democratic consciousness that moves on to the next stage. And supporters, lawyer Seok Dong-hyun kept talking about young people, but recently, young people have been very conscious of the fact that there are a lot of support for President Yoon or the ruling party, but I found that more than 86 people were not young people and not all elderly people.
I don't think it's appropriate to talk like this, young people, targeting the class. There may be some people who are excited at the scene, but you don't do this much. About this part. In addition, for YouTubers who want to make money, citizens should respond to this situation by selecting them with mature eyes. You can express your political intentions as much as you want. You can agree and disagree. However, everything needs to be mature and restrained within the boundaries of the law to get its justification. Violence can lead to greater violence and lead to greater condemnation, ridicule and headwinds. Let me tell you this.
[Anchor]
As you said, supporters are very emotional, but the president's lawyer Seok Dong-hyun also said, "This is not what the president wants. We need to regain our coolness. That's what I said.Is there a possibility that the president will send a message directly to calm down his intense emotions?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
Even if the president sends a message about these things, it seems likely that he will make it in a favorable direction for his investigation and trial in the future. Critic Park Sang-gyu's words are very principled and good, but I don't think he can deliver that level of message. Maybe he's being investigated while he's in custody. There's a high possibility of prosecution. It's going to be 99%. And then I'm going to be put on trial, and lawyer Seok Dong-hyun and we don't have to talk about the case that broke into this court for a long time. Because it's such a violation of the law. The acting police chief also talked about it earlier. I'll be serious.
And aren't you talking about the purpose of arrest investigation as a principle? Whether it is internal division in our society or not, President Yoon's arrest and subsequent trials seem to continue to refuse. These things are worrying. It's part of that. It's part of that, and it's very violent. That's what worries me the most.
[Anchor]
The key issue regarding the arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol issued early this morning is probably the 12.3 martial law, but the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit wrote this in the arrest warrant. I specified the crime of being the leader of the rebellion. This part must have played a major role in issuing an arrest warrant, right?
[Park Sang Kyu]
Of course. Because isn't former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun the first to be tried after he walked out to the prosecution and was investigated? The rest are in a row. Once again, the time has come for a trial and it will happen. However, in all the breaking news, the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit should come out to President Yoon by 2 o'clock today. I think President Yoon will thoroughly ignore the investigation by the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit. Of course, there is a more than 90% chance of not attending. This is because the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit did not have the right to investigate, and the core of the illegal part is why the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit filed an arrest suit with the Seoul Central District Court three times in a row. It's President Yoon's side. President Yoon's side is also pointing out the problem of issuing all the arrest warrants and arrest warrants to the Seoul Western District Court, right?
In doing so, the warrant issued came from the Western District Court, of course, but I'm not going to comply with it. And I split it up for 10 days. the period of the arrest warrant So I'm going to do the next 10 days. Soon, it will be a Lunar New Year holiday in 6-7 days. I think there's a high possibility that I'll let go of the 10 days. If it doesn't come out, the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit will do a visit investig I'll have to do my research somehow. I think the time for the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit is over. That's all for Director Oh Dong-woon's role. Because you'll be satisfied because you did a good job. This is what General Eulji Mundeok says. The victory is already high, so I hope you will stop being satisfied and step down. In my personal opinion, the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit will now make several attempts to investigate.
However, now it has to be handed over to the prosecution, which has the right to prosecute, and instead of waiting 10 days, it has to be handed over to the prosecution, which completes further investigation and prosecutes. And the Democratic Party unilaterally passed it.Ma believes that there is a high possibility that the general independent counsel will reach an agreement between the ruling party and the opposition party, and Choi Sang-mok will reject it. Then, it goes through the process of re-decision. Anyway, this problem is also politically problematic because he said he grouped 6 and 11 investigation targets into 6 types, but it's a problem because he put an all-round cheat key called a related recognition case in No. 6. It's incidental to do press briefings every day. Wouldn't it be important to use the wisdom to yield the rest of the things when you get something big like this to conduct a rebellion special prosecutor?
They put some kind of foreign exchange attraction crime in there and took it out. However, I can do it all with a lump called a related cognitive case. Related cognition case. I can read the intention to do foreign exchange and do the Kim Gun-hee case because it's all coming out. They say no. We have to deal with these issues politically and go to the special prosecutor's office. The prosecution is also in the middle of the offense and defense. In this way, the political community should now solve this process. They don't let the people take to the streets anymore and do that. We need to go together in the direction of stabilizing politics and economy. Only then can Korea open 2025 brightly. I'm going to be stuck here forever. That's what I think.
[Anchor]
We still need to see if the ruling and opposition special prosecutors can be agreed on, so we will look into it in a little while. The president's side said it was anti-constitution and anti-rule as the reason for issuing the arrest warrant. Will the response strategy remain unchanged in the future?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
I told you earlier. I'm going to use the same strategy. So I will use a strategy to delay the trial, and Kwon Young-se, chairman of the emergency committee, told you in considerable detail earlier. It goes against the presumption of innocence. And the investigation itself, especially the warrant issued. I'm saying that it's hard to admit this part. Even if there's no way not to respect, I don't admit it. It's anti-constitutional. I don't know what's anti-constitutional. Again, on December 3rd, all these situations are happening because of emergency martial law, unconstitutionality, and illegal emergency martial law. I don't know why you don't talk about it.
[Anchor]
You're repeating this claim over and over again that there is no right to investigate rebellion in the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
I'll continue to do it. It could be a kind of defense strategy. No, the judicial system in Korea is a first, second, and third trial system, so I think it can be a problem even in the final Supreme Court. However, the judges' judgment is that not all of these things, such as the issuance of arrest warrants, are unconstitutional and not illegal. The warrant was re-claimed. I did it before the objection, but it was rejected. You were so proud of your arrest. That's also in the Seoul Central District Court. They said what they were saying should be done by the Central District Court, but they did it at the Central District Court. Didn't the Central District Court dismiss that part?
[Anchor]
There was an analysis that the rejection of the arrest suit became a self-imposed measure.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
That's why I did it in the Central District Court. If it was done in the Western District Court, I could protest again, but there is no reason to protest. Nevertheless, in my view, even if there is a small gap, it will probably continue to cause that kind of judicial controversy, legal debate, and so on. So that's what they're talking about, that's how they're talking about anti-constitution, anti-law, and so on. However, the Korean court issued a warrant, rejected the objection, and rejected the arrest suit. Then, which country do these people live in? I want to ask them that. I'm just a lawyer, so I can defend myself. I can criticize it. I'm just saying that the logic is so poor. I wish I could develop a different logic. It is anti-constitution and anti-legal to develop something that is legally meticulous.
The best troops in Korea, such as the 707 Special Forces, are mobilized to invade the National Assembly, and that's a brief warning, where is a two-hour civil war? Isn't it the part where people who say these things are read as anti-constitutional? Because they keep doing this, their supporters become more encouraged, encouraged, radical, and more violent. They are distorting and misleading the situation. I think so.
[Anchor]
You mentioned this part that was dismissed after requesting an arrest suit from President Yoon, but then there is also a procedure such as an arrest suit. Do you think President Yoon will continue to carry out these related procedures?
[Park Sang-gyu]
President Yoon's lawyers' strategy is to do everything they can as Professor Choi said. Former Prosecutor General Jung Sang-myung also joined, so he is no longer far behind the 17 members of the National Assembly prosecution over there in terms of numbers. Wasn't the number two high during the warrant hearing that went to the Western District Court again this time, 8:6? Now, in the case of former Prosecutor General Jung Sang-myung, he was a close senior who even officiated at President Yoon, and apart from such a human relationship, I tell you again, the trial will be a long and difficult process. Of course, prior to that, the judgment of the Constitutional Court against President Yoon Suk Yeol and the judgment to decide whether to dismiss him became really important. So, if the criminal prosecution is filed, it will take time to proceed to the trial process and if the criminal trial fights for the crime of civil war under the criminal law, but isn't it going to be one day? If that happens, I'll tell you again, Article 112 of the Constitutional Court Act will be summoned. In this case, the provisions of the law clearly state that. If this collides, President Yoon's side can ask the Constitutional Court to stop the trial. Of course, I'll make a request. You said earlier that you will also ask for restraint pride. There is a view that it should not be done, but for President Yoon, everything has to be done, and that could be a strategy of defense. That's probably what the Constitutional Act is like.
Then the judges of the Constitutional Court will have a meeting and vote again. However, the variable here is the trend of public opinion. The Constitutional Court has repeatedly said that public opinion started with its roots in Germany, and it is a very political judicial institution. It's more political than judicial institutions. It doesn't mean that you're wary of it, but it's an institution that has a destiny to interpret the constitution in consideration of the political situation. It was like that before when it was rejected by former President Roh Moo Hyun and when it was quoted by former President Park Geun Hye. You can't blame it. So, it may be different from the trial process, which is conducted thoroughly according to the law and conscience. There are infinite variables in the future.
So, you saw that President Yoon also said that he would go with the flow of water at the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit. There's a lot of connotation to it. Where does the water flow? It flows from the top to the bottom and flows in a stream. There's a lot of room to interpret it, but the water can't flow from bottom to top. These parts take time. I also say that you need to look at the parts that you need to look at calmly and go quickly, but it is all closely related to the direction of public opinion.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
The Constitutional Court has basic principles. at the trial of the Constitutional Court It's scarcity and fairness. Scarcity is not to say do it recklessly or omit legal procedures. It means you have to do it quickly. Until when does the president stay in office? It's because of whether it's cited or rejected. It needs to be organized first. I will follow various evidence, principles and witnesses. We're also having a hearing. So, I don't think it'll take long. I think two people will retire on April 18th. It is very likely that it will happen before then. I think it will be like that at the latest in mid or late March.
I don't know. From what I can tell. I'm not saying that it should be like that, but I think it shouldn't take longer than you think. Then it is quoted if. If it is dismissed, it will be reinstated as president. If it is cited, we need to hold a presidential election and stabilize it quickly. Aren't the ruling and opposition parties continuing to make arguments based on their own logic and from a bilateral perspective? Look, isn't it in the story of lawyer Seok Dong-hyun? The emergency decree is part of the exercise of emergency powers granted by the president in the Constitution. The president's supporters will acknowledge, but an urgent event for the world. Is this what the Constitution has given? This isn't right.
I'm continuing to insist on this. So in my view, the Constitutional Court trial is not that complicated. No matter how much the public opinion is followed, the Constitutional Court should also do it based on evidence and legal principles, and I think it will be around March. In addition to that, I didn't mention Lee Jae-myung, but Lee Jae-myung also needs to hold the second trial quickly. It's supposed to be done on January 15, but it's already passed. Then why do many people, especially those who criticize representative Lee Jae-myung or support President Yoon, delay the trial of representative Lee Jae-myung? Even if we can't compare it together at all, the court and the Constitutional Court should recognize it. That's how it gets stronger because you keep delaying it. That's the reality. I'm adding to that.
[Anchor]
It is also interesting to see how active President Yoon will be after talking about the impeachment trial of the Constitutional Court. After directly reviewing the arrest warrant, the warrant was issued this time. Originally, he expressed his position several times that he would go directly to the Constitutional Court trial. What do you think will happen?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
Well, yesterday, I said I wouldn't appear in the arrest warrant review, but I suddenly changed my position. From what I see, I think there is a high possibility that a warrant will be issued. I think that's why he went there actively to plead and to make various theories. Anyway, a warrant was issued. I'll be able to go out at least once on the pleading date. Since the hearing is scheduled for a long time. Even if it can come out once, there will be a limit. It has been revealed that the content of the pleading date continues to insist. The president's claims and things like that. So even if I go out, will that mean a lot? Because an arrest warrant was issued, an arrest warrant was issued, and an indictment would be issued soon, but the president's commitment to the investigation has no significance now. There are a lot of evidence statements from soldiers, and other soldiers' warrants also mention President Yoon more than 140 times, in the indictment. In my opinion, I wonder if it will mean much even if I attend the pleading day.
[Park Sang Kyu]
In principle, I agree with that and there is only one variable. In a little while, or already now, President Yoon will have changed his suit or clothes that went to the Western District Court into a sky blue embroidery, and some kind of number will have been attached to the left. From now on, this outfit will be maintained. If that happens, you will want to appear in the Constitutional Court in that way. The reason is that I look at it like that. This could be advantageous for a public opinion contest. There is a possibility that the president will wear such clothes and accept the rope in some ways, although I will cover it with a towel.
[Anchor]
Do you think it can cause sympathy?
[Park Sang Kyu]
I won't say it's sympathy. However, there is a possibility of trying to influence the judgment of political law enforcement agencies, and it can be another problem for them to be aired on TV. Since it is not a logical matter and there are many emotional aspects, President Yoon's appearance can have a significant impact. That's my view.
[Choi Chang Ryul]
But wearing a prison uniform is according to the law. I can't help but wear it. That is a separate matter. I don't agree with that that the public opinion battle... relates that part to the public opinion battle.You're supposed to wear a wet suit. I can't wear my own clothes anymore. It was my own clothes until yesterday, but not anymore.
[Anchor]
Can't I change when I go to an open court?
[Choi Chang Ryul]
You have to wear a prison uniform. Why do you change? Haven't you seen the past? Didn't you see Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo also come out holding hands in a blue suit?
[Anchor]
In the case of former President Park Geun Hye, he once changed into plain clothes.
[Park Sang Kyu]
At that time, there was a problem after the citation was completed four months later. So that's what Professor Choi said. That's right, but he said he might want it. That's according to the law, so I won't go out to show you, right? I added that because I thought I wouldn't do that.
[Anchor]
I see. We talked with the two about the unprecedented situation in which an incumbent president is arrested. It was with Choi Chang-ryul, a special professor at Yongin University, and Park Sang-gyu, a current affairs critic. Thank you.
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