Presidential Office: "Suspending Incumbent President's Trial is Natural Under the Constitution... No Separate Legislation Needed"

Regarding the Democratic Party's stance to withdraw the 'Trial Suspension Act', the Presidential Office states it is "a majority view based on Article 84 of the Constitution"
Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik warns, "Do not drag the President into the center of political strife"
"Even if the court resumes the trial, it is not too late to file a constitutional petition and legislate afterwards"

Regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's decision not to process the so-called 'Trial Suspension Act' (an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act) which forcibly halts the trial of an incumbent president, the Presidential Office released an official stance stating, "Since it is a matter that is naturally suspended under the Constitution, separate legislation is unnecessary."

Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 3rd and revealed this position, emphasizing, "The suspension of criminal trials against an incumbent president is the view of a majority of constitutional scholars according to Article 84 of the Constitution." This is the logic that the progression of a criminal trial itself is fundamentally impossible based on the immunity from prosecution under Article 84 of the Constitution.

In addition, Chief of Staff Kang hinted at countermeasures against future variables in the judiciary's decisions. He explained, "If the court violates the Constitution by overturning the previous suspension declaration and resumes the trial, it is not too late to file a constitutional petition while simultaneously taking legislative action." This is interpreted as the background behind requesting the ruling party or the National Assembly to exclude the Trial Suspension Act from the targets of judicial reform bills for now.

At the end of the briefing, Chief of Staff Kang added, "I earnestly request that you do not drag the President into the center of political strife," expressing strong vigilance against the opposition party's aggressive legislative offensive and attempts to politicize the issue.