Independence

March 4 (Asia Today) — In U.S. history, only one president served four terms: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Facing the unprecedented economic crisis of the Great Depression, Roosevelt pushed forward sweeping New Deal legislation to revive the economy. With Congress controlled by his Democratic Party, the political environment initially seemed favorable.

However, Roosevelt’s New Deal soon faced a major obstacle: opposition from the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court. Several core New Deal laws were struck down as unconstitutional.

After winning re-election in 1936 with 61% of the vote, Roosevelt proposed a plan to expand the Supreme Court. Under the proposal, the president could appoint additional justices if sitting justices over the age of 70 years and six months did not retire. Because six justices were already over that age, the court could have expanded from nine members to as many as fifteen.

The proposal became known as “court packing” – an attempt to add justices favorable to the administration.

Opposition emerged from unexpected quarters. Not only Republicans but also members of Roosevelt’s own Democratic Party objected. Even Vice President John Nance Garner opposed the plan, warning it could create a dangerous precedent by allowing a president to reshape the judiciary for political purposes.

The proposal was ultimately withdrawn without a vote.

Another leader who reshaped the judiciary was Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. After taking power, Chávez expanded the number of Supreme Court justices and appointed individuals loyal to his government. Once the executive branch gained control over the judiciary, the court largely lost its ability to check the administration.

The consequences were severe. Venezuela’s political system deteriorated, and the power structure Chávez built has remained firmly in place under his successor, Nicolás Maduro.

In South Korea, a revision to the Court Organization Act aimed at expanding the number of Supreme Court justices passed the National Assembly on Feb. 28 with 173 votes in favor, 73 against and one abstention. The legislation now awaits promulgation by the president.

If enacted, the number of Supreme Court justices will increase from 14 to 26. President Lee Jae-myung would have the authority to appoint not only the 12 newly added justices but also replacements for 10 justices whose terms are set to expire, including Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. In total, the president could appoint 22 of the court’s 26 justices during his term.

Expanding the number of justices is not simply a matter of increasing seats.

In Venezuela, Chávez filled the court with allies and during his tenure the Supreme Court issued virtually no rulings against the government. The judiciary effectively lost its role as an independent check on executive power.

Even Roosevelt – widely admired in American history – saw his attempt to expand the Supreme Court become one of the most controversial episodes of his presidency.

History offers clear lessons about the consequences of governments attempting to dominate the judiciary. Once the independence of the courts is compromised and the balance of powers between branches of government is weakened, any leader risks being viewed as moving toward authoritarian rule.

— Kim Chae-yeon, Asia Today

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publication.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

March 4 (Asia Today) — A series of legislative proposals by South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party has sparked debate over judicial independence, as critics argue the measures could affect ongoing criminal cases involving President Lee Jae-myung.

The legislation includes proposals to expand the Supreme Court, introduce constitutional review of court rulings and abolish the crime of breach of trust. Legal experts say the bills, combined with calls to drop certain prosecutions, raise concerns that lawmakers could influence judicial proceedings.

Five criminal cases involving Lee are currently paused while he serves as president. As the National Assembly moves forward with legal revisions, some members of the legal community warn the changes could intersect with those trials.

National Assembly inquiry targets prosecution investigations

According to political sources, the Democratic Party has launched a parliamentary committee seeking a national investigation into what it calls politically motivated prosecutions under the previous administration.

The committee plans to examine several high-profile cases involving political figures, including the Daejang-dong development case and allegations involving transfers of funds to North Korea.

Party officials have also urged prosecutors to withdraw indictments in cases involving Lee.

The move has prompted criticism from legal observers who say the National Assembly should not interfere in criminal proceedings.

Judicial reform bills move quickly through parliament

The Democratic Party has advanced three major judicial reform bills in recent weeks.

The legislation would expand the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 26, allow the Constitutional Court to review final court rulings through a judicial complaint system and introduce a new criminal offense for officials who deliberately misapply the law in judicial decisions or investigations.

Supporters say the reforms are aimed at addressing structural issues within the judiciary.

However, some legal analysts say the proposals could alter the balance of power within the court system and influence the legal environment surrounding ongoing cases.

Breach of trust law could affect corruption cases

Another proposal under discussion involves abolishing the criminal offense of breach of trust, which has been used in several major corruption investigations.

If the law were repealed, legal experts say it could affect cases related to development projects in Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong as well as allegations involving misuse of a provincial government corporate credit card.

Under South Korean law, when a criminal statute is repealed after an alleged offense, courts may dismiss charges related to that statute.

Concerns raised over separation of powers

Some lawyers say the pace and scope of the legislative initiatives raise broader concerns about the balance between the legislative and judicial branches.

“The outcome of trials should be determined in court,” one attorney who previously served as a senior prosecutor said. “If lawmakers change laws in ways that directly affect ongoing cases, it raises questions about the separation of powers.”

Supporters of the legislation argue the reforms are necessary to improve accountability within the justice system.

Debate over the proposals is expected to continue as the National Assembly reviews the measures during the current parliamentary session.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260305010001168

March 2 (UPI) — On this date in history:

In 1836, Texas proclaimed independence from Mexico.

In 1899, President William McKinley signed legislation establishing Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. The park received record flooding in November 2006, resulting in more than $36 million in damage.

In 1949, a U.S. Air Force plane piloted by Capt. James Gallagher completed the first non-stop around-the-world flight in just over 94 hours.

In 1962, Philadelphia’s Wilt Chamberlain set the single-game NBA scoring record with 100 points against the New York Knicks.

In 1974, the cost of a U.S. first class postage stamp was increased to 10 cents, up from 8 cents.

File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 1983, the compact disc and player are released in the United States, beginning the slow decline of the cassette tape and launching the digital audio revolution.

In 2007, U.S. Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey announced his resignation amid charges of poor conditions for patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

In 2008, outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s choice as his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, was elected president in a landslide. Putin remained in power as prime minister.

File Photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/UPI

In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that an anti-gay Kansas church had a constitutional right to stage a peaceful protest at the funeral of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq.

In 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he would not participate in any federal investigation into allegations the Russian government interceded in the 2016 presidential election, sparking the ire of President Donald Trump.

In 2023, Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James became the first NBA player to reach 40,000 regular-season points. He broke the previous record — 38,387 by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — in 2023.

In 2025, Anora won Best Picture at the Academy Awards along with Best Actress for Mikey Madison, Best Director for Sean Baker, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.

Best performance by an actor in a leading role Oscar winner Adrien Brody of “The Brutalist” celebrates backstage with best performance by an actress in a leading role winner Mikey Madison of “Anora” and best actress in a supporting role Oscar winner Zoe Saldana of “Emilia Perez” with Kieran Culkin, Oscar winner for best actor in a supporting role (L-R) during the 97th Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, on March 2, 2025. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

March 1 (UPI) — Thousands of South Koreans gathered in central Seoul on Sunday to call for peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula and oppose what they described as a two-state framework between the two Koreas.

The rally, organized by Citizens’ Solidarity for ONE KOREA, was held at Gwanghwamun Square near the Dongwha Duty Free shop to mark the 107th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement.

Organizers estimated attendance at more than 4,000. Police did not immediately provide an independent estimate.

Organizers said pre-event cultural performances began at 1 p.m., including traditional percussion and a performance by a North Korean defector-turned-singer. The main program opened at 2 p.m., with speakers emphasizing the legacy of the 1919 independence movement and calling for renewed efforts toward unification.

Participants included civic activists, religious leaders, North Korean defectors, separated family members, overseas Koreans and young people. Many held signs reading “Two Koreas: No, One Korea: Yes.”

North Korea in recent months has characterized inter-Korean relations as those between “two hostile states,” effectively redefining its official stance on unification. In South Korea, the unification minister has said the ministry is proceeding with steps to formalize what he described as a “peaceful two-state” approach as a ministry position.

Kim Hyung-seok, a 105-year-old emeritus professor at Yonsei University, delivered a special message urging citizens to take the lead in pursuing national unity. He said unification should be achieved by the Korean people rather than driven solely by political leaders.

Religious figures from different faiths also addressed the crowd. Buddhist monks Hyein and Eung cheon spoke at the rally, alongside Protestant pastors Kim Jin-hong and Jang Hak-il, who criticized what they described as efforts to institutionalize division on the peninsula. Participants later sang “Our Wish Is Unification,” a song long associated with reunification hopes.

North Korean defector Kang Chol-hwan, head of the North Korea Strategy Center, spoke about human rights conditions in the North and stressed the importance of expanding outside information access to North Korean residents.

Jang Man-soon, head of a civic group representing families separated by the Korean War, announced plans to raise funds for broadcasting initiatives aimed at North Korea and to promote the establishment of a platform tentatively named “Korea Link.”

During a joint declaration, youth representatives from the South and from the defector community pledged to uphold the spirit of the March 1 movement and work toward unification based on freedom, human rights and shared prosperity.

After the rally, participants marched around the Gwanghwamun area, concluding the event at about 5 p.m.

Organizers said they plan to continue nationwide activities promoting what they described as a citizen-led movement for peaceful unification.