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Kim Yong-tae, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), walks to a press briefing on current issues at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 8. / Source: Yonhap News

Kim Yong-tae, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), on June 9 criticized reports that attorney Lee Seung-yeop—who previously represented President Lee Jae-myung in criminal cases—is being considered for a Constitutional Court seat.

Posting on Facebook, Kim wrote, “Is this the collective wisdom of the Democratic Party—using the banner of judicial reform to ensure the president doesn’t stand trial, can’t be convicted, and even adding a fourth layer of appeal to overturn any result?”

A senior official from the presidential office had told reporters the previous day that "Presiding Judge Oh Young-joon, attorney Lee Seung-yeop, and Judge Wi Kwang-ha are among the candidates being considered for the Constitutional Court," adding that "we are continuing to gather opinions on these candidates."

Kim countered, “From the perspective of basic personnel principles and especially judicial neutrality, it’s hard to understand this move. Yet, when viewed in light of the president’s ongoing legal risks, one can understand the intention behind such an appointment.”

He further argued, “The so-called ‘bulletproof bills’ being pushed by the Democratic Party in the plenary session are premised on the idea that the president could still face trial while in office. On top of that, they are pursuing a so-called ‘judicial review bill’ that would allow the Constitutional Court to rule on the constitutionality of Supreme Court decisions.”