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Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), gives a thumbs-up as he appeals for voter support during a campaign rally at Pyeongnae-Hopyeong Station Plaza in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, on May 26. / Source: Yonhap News

The Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) Committee for Realizing International Standards of Judicial Justice praised the decision by South Korea’s National Judges' Representative Council to postpone discussion of a controversial ruling involving DPK presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung until after the June 3 election.

Committee Chair Baek Tae-woong stated during a briefing at party headquarters on May 26, “Amid heightened concerns over judicial independence and public trust following the declaration of martial law and the resulting insurrection crisis, we welcome the fact that the council convened an emergency meeting to discuss these issues.”

Earlier that morning, the representative council held a special session to deliberate on the Supreme Court’s remand in Lee’s Public Official Election Act case. Ultimately, members opted not to adopt any formal resolution, citing concerns about potential electoral influence.

Baek commended the decision, saying, “Given the risk that any resolution could impact the presidential election, choosing to defer the matter until after the vote was a responsible and appropriate move.”

He urged continued efforts to strengthen judicial integrity, stating, “We hope to see robust debate on how to investigate and address the systemic flaws that have surfaced in recent years, so that the independence of the judiciary is fully safeguarded.”

Baek also expressed hopes for post-election reforms: “We look forward to building a judiciary that upholds human rights and serves the people under the new administration.”