On the 27th, the Citizens' Coalition for People’s Livelihood and youth organizations held a rally in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to denounce the National Assembly's passage of the "Law Distortion Act" and to urge a speedy trial for Lee Jae-myung. [Photo = CCPL] 

Civic groups and youth organizations held a rally in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to denounce the National Assembly's passage of the "Law Distortion Act" and call for a trial for Lee Jae-myung. 

The Citizens' Coalition for People’s Livelihood (CCPL, Secretary-General Kim Soon-hwan) and the Lawyers for the Common People (LCP), along with 12 young people, held a press conference in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 27th, asserting that the "Law Distortion Act" is a "preposterous evil law."

Kim Soon-hwan, Secretary-General of the CCPL, pointed out, "Among the three judicial reform bills, the Law Distortion Act could effectively turn the current three-tier court system into a four-tier system when applied," adding, "Ultimately, it will lead to wealthy individuals who can afford legal fees winning, which will further exacerbate the plight of ordinary people."

After the press conference, the CCPL and other groups delivered an appeal containing these concerns to the Supreme Court.

Previously, the National Assembly passed a revision to the Criminal Act (the Law Distortion Act) at a plenary session the day before. The act stipulates that judges involved in criminal trials and prosecutors who initiate or maintain public prosecutions may face up to 10 years in prison or suspension of qualifications if they distort the law in criminal cases.

The Law Distortion Act is one of the three judicial reform bills pushed by the Democratic Party; other measures, including the introduction of constitutional complaints against court rulings and the expansion of the number of Supreme Court Justices, are also expected to pass the plenary session.

CCPL Donation Account: Korea Post 010108-01-014472 

Account Holder: Citizens' Coalition for People’s Livelihood 

“With one’s hand on one’s conscience…”. [Photo = Yonhap News]

Reporter Lim Yo-hee