Democratic Party Leader Calls Chief Justice 'Worst Ever,' Demands Resignation

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok launched a scathing attack on Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Cho Hee-dae, labeling him the "worst Chief Justice in the post-liberation era" and demanding his resignation. Kim accused Cho of breaking with tradition by submitting a written recommendation for Supreme Court justices without prior consultation with the presidential office.

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This is like a delinquent student begging to be expelled after breaking a window, saying they won't study.

"This is like a delinquent student begging to be expelled after breaking a window, saying they won't study," Kim stated at a party meeting in Busan. He questioned Cho's intentions in deviating from customary legal procedures for the appointment of justices, asking if he was "asking to be fired."

Cho recently recommended Son Bong-ki and Kim Sung-soo as candidates for the Supreme Court, succeeding former justices Roh Tae-ak and Lee Heung-gu. However, his decision to bypass the traditional consultation with the presidential office has reportedly caused discomfort within the ruling party.

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What is the intention of submitting the written recommendation for Supreme Court justices without coordinating with the presidential office?

Kim further denigrated Cho, referring to him as "Mr. Cho Hee-dae" and asserting that he could no longer be called Chief Justice, but rather a "director of legal technology." He drew a parallel to former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who he claimed sought impeachment to run for president but eventually resigned when his attempts failed. Kim questioned if Cho was following a similar path, calling it the "road of a co-conspirator in rebellion."

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You can no longer be called Chief Justice, but a director of legal technology.

Kim urged South Korean Supreme Court justices to convene a meeting and pass a resolution demanding Cho's departure, stating, "The entire judiciary must rise up and demand 'Cho Hee-dae out.'" He vowed to initiate judicial reform using Cho's alleged judicial misconduct as a catalyst.

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The entire judiciary must rise up and demand 'Cho Hee-dae out.'