GNP zeroes in on chief justice

The ruling Grand National Party yesterday honed in on chief justice Lee Yong-hoon as it upped the ante in a dispute over controversial court rulings.

The conservative GNP called on the Supreme Court head to take responsibility for the controversy surrounding "slanted" rulings.

The party said it will officially demand he dissolve a private association of young, progressive-minded justices who are involved in the court decisions in question.

Lee struck back, telling reporters, "I will firmly safeguard the independence of judiciary."

Lee had kept silent in the face of one of the widest-reaching and fiercest political disputes to engulf the judicial institution. Lee was appointed by former President Roh Moo-hyun in September 2005 for a six-year term.

The GNP and conservatives blamed him for "leftist tendencies" among young justices and a series of "politically biased" rulings.

"The chief justice should clarify his stance and take responsibility for causing this judicial incident of left-slanted, unfair rulings," GNP floor leader Ahn Sang-soo said during the inaugural meeting of the party`s judicial reform committee.



"The court has long been free from any reform or criticism. It is time to put in check the abuse of judicial power."

He urged Lee to improve the present judicial system, which he said allowed inexperienced and problematic judges to work in courts.

The GNP is considering a legal revision to prohibit all private associations of justices.

"Judges, who should stand as objective third parties in courts, are not to expose their personal political tendencies in their rulings," said a ruling party official.

On Tuesday the GNP launched a special committee to push the reform of the judiciary system.

Political, legal and civic circles have been embroiled in a heated dispute over some highly sensitive cases involving urban poor activists, a leftist politician and unionized teachers.

A lower court last week cleared Rep. Kang Ki-kab of the minority Democratic Labor Party of charges of obstructing parliamentary duties. The lawmaker was indicted last year for using violence in the National Assembly.

Members of conservative civic groups have gathered in front of the judge`s house, demanding that he resign. The Seoul Southern District Court has taken measures to protect him.

The feud further escalated as the Jeonju District Court on Tuesday acquitted the members of the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers` Union, who issued antigovernment statements last year.

Further turning up the heat, the Seoul Central District Court yesterday acquitted the staff of the television documentary program "PD`s Notepad" of charges of intentionally exaggerating the danger of mad cow disease.

The government held the program responsible for the massive protests in May-June 2008, following President Lee Myung-bak`s decision to resume U.S. beef imports.

The dispute has developed into a fight between political parties.

"It is thoughtless of the ruling party to interfere with the rulings of the court," main opposition Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun said yesterday.

"Judicial independence is a fundamental value in democracy and should be protected by all costs from political influences."

(tellme@heraldm.com)



By Bae Hyun-jung