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In the first day of the high-profile trial on Tuesday, Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn
made his case against the far-left Unified Progressive Party, while UPP chairwoman Lee
Jung-hee spoke up in defense of her party. The case represents the first time the government
has attempted to dissolve a political party. The cabinet petition to disband the leftist
party was filed in early November, a few months after a number of UPP members, including lawmaker
Lee Seok-ki, were arrested on charges of plotting an armed revolt against the South Korean government.
Lee and other UPP members are currently standing trial, but are denying the insurrection charges
and that they ever even praised North Korean ideology.
Tuesday's trial was focused on whether it is lawful to dissolve the UPP and if so,
on what grounds. The justice ministry called for uprooting
the leftist party, saying that the UPP's seeks to install North Korean socialism which
violates the basic democratic order of the South Korean Constitution.
It also demanded the court put a temporary stop to the UPP's activities as the party
may attempt to subvert the government, as seen in the case of lawmaker Lee Seok-ki.
The UPP rebutted the government's claim that their party is unconstitutional.
It said its style of progressive democracy is aimed at overcoming the ills of capitalism,
not following North Korean socialism. The UPP also claimed that the government is
trying to suppress a minor opposition party out of a desire to drive its own political
interests.
UPP lawmaker Lee Seok-ki is awaiting a verdict on charges of plotting to overthrow the government.
That verdict is expected to come in February, which observers say is likely to influence
the direction of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the UPP dissolution case.
Kim Yeon-ji, Arirang News.