Seo Young-kyo: "If Han Duck-soo Is Released, Insurrections Could Occur at Any Time"

Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo warned in an interview on YTN Radio's 'Jang Sung-chul's News Highground' on the 13th that if former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who faces charges of committing key duties in an insurrection, is released, there is a possibility of 'recurring insurrection,' and said that impeachment discussions over Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Cho Hee-de cannot help but be revisited. With the expiration date of former PM Han's detention period (the 20th) approaching, Seo placed responsibility on the judiciary, saying, "It is Chief Justice Cho Hee-de who has brought things to this point even though Han must not be released." He also pointed out that pushing the Han case back behind former President Yoon Suk-yeol's case, when the Han case should be handled first, is a "trick."

In the same interview, Seo said that Chief Justice Cho had violated the Constitution and laws "far too many times" and was therefore subject to impeachment. He also stated that the Democratic Party cannot avoid revisiting impeachment discussions over Chief Justice Cho.

Regarding the schedule for the confirmation hearing of Justice Minister nominee Lee Yong-chul, Seo said in the same interview that the hearing request document has not yet arrived at the National Assembly, and that the hearing should be held around next week. He also expressed the view of the nominee that "having someone close to the president is surely a necessity."

According to the Supreme Court's schedule, former PM Han's detention period expires on the 20th, and the Supreme Court has set a full bench hearing date for the Han case on the 19th. The special counsel for the insurrection investigation has submitted a plan to the Supreme Court to release Han on conditional bail in preparation for the expiration of his detention period. Kim Han-kyu, the party's senior deputy floor leader for policy, urged that a verdict should be issued immediately after the hearing on the 19th concludes.

With the detention deadline and the Supreme Court hearing approaching, attention is focused on what impact the remarks by Seo, who chairs the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, will have on conflict between the ruling and opposition parties.