President Roh files Petition in the Name of a Private Citizen

President Roh Moo-hyun filed a petition with the Constitutional Court against the National Election Commission’s ruling that the president violated his obligation of political neutrality under Article 9 of the civil servants law, protesting that the ruling infringes on freedom of political speech.

The National Election Commission ruled, on June 18, that President Roh violated the obligation of political neutrality during his interview with the Hankyoreh newspaper, after mentioning his support of a candidate from the Uri Party; while he also breached the law during his speeches at Wonkwang University on June 8, and at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the pro-democracy movement on June 10.

This is the first time in history that a president has appealed to the Constitutional Court. As criticism arises among the judicial community, voicing that “The president is not eligible to lodge an appeal with the Constitutional Court”, related legal and political disputes are expected to intensify.

The president appealed in the name of a private citizen. President Roh’s legal attorney will be Law firm Simin, with the former head of the National Intelligence Service, Koh Young-goo, as the senior partner.

jyw11@donga.com