Former UPP lawmakers' reinstatement request denied

By Lee Kyung-min

An administrative court has rejected a reinstatement request from former lawmakers of the now-disbanded United Progressive Party (UPP), who lost their National Assembly seats following the party’s disbandment.

The Seoul Administrative Court dismissed the petition, Thursday, filed by the five lawmakers ― Lee Seok-ki, Kim Jae-yeon, Kim Mi-hyui, Oh Byung-yun and Lee Sang-kyu.

They filed the petition again in January after the Constitutional Court ruling that disbanded the minor opposition party in December last year, claiming they were automatically deprived of their seats without specific legal grounds.

“The loss of seats was determined by the Constitutional Court which is the final authority on interpretation and application of the Constitution,” the court said. “So other courts cannot judge the issue again.”

It said the Constitutional Court ruling is not subject to a suit with the administrative court. “Also, it is right to deprive them of the position because they had unconstitutional political faith by belonging to the UPP, which sided with North Korea’s policy,” it said.

The five lawmakers said they will appeal.