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South Korea’s Ruling Party Drops Bill to Halt Presidential Trials After One Day

Leaders say they will prioritize diplomatic achievements, with Lee’s cases paused under a contested reading of Article 84.

Overview

  • The Democratic Party confirmed a full withdrawal of its trial-suspension bill, reversing course a day after reviving the measure for a November plenary vote.
  • Party spokesperson Rep. Park Soo-hyun said the decision followed discussions with the presidential office and emphasized it was not initiated by President Lee.
  • Courts have postponed President Lee Jae Myung’s pending cases by citing Article 84, as legal experts and parties dispute whether its bar on prosecution covers ongoing trials.
  • The opposition People Power Party denounced the proposal as an attempt to shield Lee, intensifying pressure for proceedings to resume.
  • The Democratic Party launched a judiciary reform task force proposing changes such as abolishing the Supreme Court’s Court Administration Office and expanding Supreme Court oversight, following renewed attention after heavy Daejang-dong sentences.