Civic lawyer groups file petition to UN over top court’s alleged power abuse

Progressive civic groups on Thursday filed a petition to the United Nations human rights body over the alleged abuse of authority by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae.

Lawyers for a Democratic Society, also known as Minbyeon, and the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy filed a petition with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, reporting that the former top court chief had allegedly meddled in legal affairs, consorting with the government on sensitive litigations.

In the petition letter, the civic groups stated that the past judicial administration encroached on the legal authority of justices by running secret inspections on individuals, and violated the rights of citizens by using litigation information as leverage in obtaining government approval for its organizational changes.

“While the evidence disclosed so far clearly shows the seriousness of the issue, the Supreme Court is not making a move. No prosecutorial probe has started and the government also appears to refrain from making a move,” Minbyeon’s Secretary-General Song Sang-gyo said in a press meeting.

“That is why we have signed the letter of petition to the UN to alert the international society and demand for the government’s stern measures (on the scandal).”

Jang Bo-ram, an official from Minbyeon, added that they are concerned by how “narrowly” the judiciary is looking at the current case of abuse of power.

“It is not an internal problem of the judiciary. It is about the encroachment of the Constitution, and the very basic rights of all citizens,” Jang said.

If the UN’s Special Rapporteur finds the case a serious violation of human rights or the independence of judges, it could either issue an open statement or demand the government take emergency measures to resolve the situation, the civic group explained.

An investigation panel under the top court revealed on May 25 that the judiciary under Yang had allegedly used politically sensitive trials to make a deal with the presidential office in return for support to establish a new appellate court. The panel said over 400 reports written at the time had been identified as evidence.

Yang denied all charges, but the current Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-soo said he would request a prosecutorial probe into the scandal. The judiciary has been sharply divided, as some oppose conducting an investigation, citing a possible intrusion into the independence of the judges.

By Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)