People Power Party Floor Leader Yoon Sang-hyun sharply criticized the special counsel investigation into an alleged indictment dismissal, accusing opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of activating an unprecedented “judicial set-top box” by reappointing key figures to service department heads.
Strong Rebuke in National Assembly
During a joint discussion meeting on current issues at the National Assembly plenary session, Yoon stressed the need to capture public trends in judicial rulings. “Trends must come first, and decisions should reflect them,” he stated. “When a verdict reexamines a student’s judgment, public sentiment must shift accordingly.”
Yoon highlighted a dramatic 180-degree turnaround in university campus opinions on school violence, student ideas, logic, and related matters. “Judges must consider citizens’ discernment to deliver fair outcomes,” he urged.
Call for Thorough Probes and Fairness
The floor leader emphasized that party leadership respects judicial authority while pushing for stronger fairness through complete document disclosures. “We will seize the reins on judgments,” Yoon declared.
He vowed relentless pursuit starting from by-elections to secure public backing, adding, “Pinpoint the core thread, squeeze it fully—that’s the way forward.”
Poll Insights and Special Counsel Critique
Interpreting recent joint surveys, Yoon identified two key public sentiments: ordinary citizens await legal verdicts, while even critics see no viable path amid reappointment disputes. He accused authorities and opposition of overlooking these views.
“This special counsel threatens one individual by seizing service operations and reappointment powers, aiming to nullify 12 judge-related hypotheses entirely,” Yoon charged. “The self-proclaimed prosecutor chasing laws embodies a coup d’état.”
Historical Parallel to Park Geun-hye Case
Yoon recalled the 2017 uproar over former President Park Geun-hye, who accepted a verdict amid public fury and called for Cabinet accountability despite party leadership scrutiny. “We respond to any judicial hypothesis by fully establishing the truth and shaping world opinion,” he said.
In modern Korea, Yoon warned against dictatorial echoes in presidential races. “Against this special probe, ruling party executives and law enforcers must expose blindfolded operations by government officials, creating a national reckoning,” he concluded.
