Chairman Joo Jin-woo speaking to urge the resumption of President Lee Jae-myung's trial (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = Rep. Joo Jin-woo, chairman of the People Power Party’s Special Committee on Preventing the Cancellation of President Lee Jae-myung's Trial, speaks at a plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. 2026.7.13 hkmpooh@yna.co.kr

Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party announced on the 16th that he has initiated a collective constitutional complaint regarding the revised Information and Communications Network Act.

On the same day, Rep. Joo shared a link on his Facebook page to a website where a power of attorney for the constitutional complaint can be automatically generated, stating, "We are filing a constitutional complaint and an injunction to suspend the effect of the 'Public Gag Law'."

Rep. Joo criticized the law, asking, "With so many things to emulate, why are you trying to turn the proud Republic of Korea into a dictatorship that silences its people, like North Korea or China?" He added, "This law infringes upon the principles of popular sovereignty, the prohibition of prior censorship, and the freedom of expression and thought."

Rep. Joo also issued a counter-rebuttal regarding the ruling party's criticism that he engaged in "malicious fabrication and incitement" after he raised allegations that First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of President Lee Jae-myung, performed a so-called "hand-shaking off" gesture after shaking hands with the President of Mongolia during a recent state visit.

Rep. Joo stated, "Even if her hand was numb, shaking it off right in front of the other person is a clear diplomatic faux pas," adding, "'Malicious editing' is a term used only when one is the sole possessor of the footage. Deciding which parts of the publicly released Blue House video to highlight is my own exercise of freedom of expression."

He further added, "During the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the Democratic Party fabricated absurd slanders, claiming 'poverty porn' while harping on about non-existent lighting issues," and concluded, "I am actually grateful that they have targeted me as the first subject of the 'Public Gag Law.' I will respond with legal countermeasures against the Democratic Party's legal actions." [Yonhap News]