Former chief justice denies abuse of power allegations

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Wed, June 20, 2018 | 13:12

Investigations

Former chief justice denies abuse of power allegations

Posted : 2018-06-01 18:02

Updated : 2018-06-02 10:03

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae is questioned by reporters over allegations against him of abuse of judicial power, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Kim Hyun-bin

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae denied allegations that he used his judicial power to make a deal with the 2013-17 Park Geun-hye administration to establish another general court of appeal.

Yang served as the chief justice from 2011 to 2017.

In a press briefing Friday, he said he did not abuse his power by using politically sensitive cases as a bargaining chip with the former conservative government.

"While serving as chief justice, I never interfered in trials and used them to bargain," Yang told the press.

He then apologized for causing social concern over the judiciary system, and said he should have worked harder to maintain the court's independence.

But he said it is necessary to establish another general court of appeal.

An internal investigation partially disclosed that the National Court Administration wrote a report in March 2015 on how to leverage high-profile cases to persuade senior presidential aides to establish the proposed appellate court.

Yang allegedly used cases involving unions and a former spy chief whose verdicts could affect the Park administration.

The concept of the court had been brought up to redistribute the workload of cases with the highest court. The Supreme Court would take care of high-profile or political cases while the other court would review "smaller cases."

There was opposition against this system which would establish a de facto second Supreme Court, amid concerns Supreme Court judges could further extend their power.

Those who were against it _ mostly liberal judges _ were allegedly blacklisted.

Multiple investigations probed suspicions that the Office of Court Administration (OCA) under the top court created this blacklist to control and suppress those liberal judges.

The most recent investigation results confirmed the blacklist's existence.

Yang again denied this.

"I gave no disadvantage to judges who opposed the plan," Yang said.

Yang is likely to face questioning over alleged abuse of the judiciary authority.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su apologized Thursday over his predecessor Yang's allegations.

"As a judge serving the highest court and on behalf of the judicial branch, I offer a heartfelt apology to the people who must have felt shock and disappointment due to the terrible investigation results," Kim said in a statement. "After collecting opinions from various circles, I will decide on criminal measures against those involved."

Kim added he would consider filing a criminal action lawsuit against those involved, promising to reform the judiciary.

Judges nationwide have called for full disclosure of the documents and files uncovered in the investigation.

hyunbin@ktimes.com