▲ Minjung Minju Party press conference
Han Myeong-hee, leader of the Minjung Minju Party, who is accused of forming an anti-state organization, has appeared in court for an arrest warrant hearing.
Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court held a pre-arrest interrogation for Han on charges of violating the National Security Act at approximately 10:00 a.m. today (June 16).
Prior to the hearing, Han and the Minjung Minju Party held a press conference in front of the courthouse at around 9:00 a.m., claiming that the police investigation, which has been ongoing for two years, is an act of "public security suppression."
Cha Eun-jeong, head of the Minjung Minju Party's South Chungcheong Provincial Committee, stated, "The Minjung Minju Party is a constitutional political party that marks its 10th anniversary this year," adding, "We strongly condemn the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the prosecution's public security authorities for attempting to dissolve it."
She further argued, "Try visiting the National Election Commission website and searching for the Minjung Minju Party. Our party constitution, platform, and current status are detailed there," and added, "What kind of anti-state organization would register and operate according to the Political Parties Act so openly? It makes no sense."
Upon arriving at the court, Han also emphasized to reporters, "I state once again that there is absolutely no connection with North Korea."
Han and others are accused of engaging in activities benefiting the enemy, such as forming an anti-state organization that sympathizes with North Korea, staging protests demanding the withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea, and condemning joint South Korea-U.S. military drills as "war exercises for a northward invasion."
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Security Investigation Division has been investigating the Minjung Minju Party for potential violations of the National Security Act since 2024.
After raiding the party's headquarters in August of that year, the police summoned the leader and party members for questioning as suspects in July of last year and executed another search and seizure warrant at the party's headquarters.
The police, having identified several party officials as suspects, determined that it was necessary to secure the custody of leader Han and Secretary-General Han Jun-hye, and filed for arrest warrants on June 11.
The arrest warrant hearing for Secretary-General Han is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. today.
A decision on whether to issue the arrest warrants is expected to be made as early as this evening.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.