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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Opposition Leader Demands Resignation of 'Worst Chief Justice' Cho Hee-dae

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok has called Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae the "worst Chief Justice since liberation" and demanded his immediate resignation.
  • Kim accused the Chief Justice of "judicial collusion" for breaking the convention of consulting with the president on Supreme Court justice nominations.
  • The party is considering impeachment proceedings against Cho, while the ruling party criticized the opposition's move as an attempt to control the judiciary.

Kim Min-seok, the leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, has launched a scathing attack on Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, labeling him the "worst Chief Justice since liberation" and demanding his immediate resignation. The strong condemnation stems from Cho's recent decision to submit nominations for two Supreme Court justices to President Yoon Suk-yeol via written document, bypassing the customary practice of prior consultation and discussion.

He is the worst Chief Justice since liberation.

— Kim Min-seokDescribing Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's tenure and actions.

During a party meeting in Busan, Kim Min-seok declared Cho's actions to be "lawless judicial conduct" and "judicial collusion." He criticized the Chief Justice for abandoning the established protocol, likening his behavior to that of a "delinquent student begging to be expelled." Kim asserted that this move, termed the "Cho Hee-dae incident," would serve as the catalyst for judicial reform.

Adding to the pressure, Choi Min-hee, a senior member of the Supreme Council, called for the judiciary to face "the iron fist of the people" and urged the National Assembly to immediately begin discussions on impeachment. However, Kim Seung-won, the floor leader for the ruling People Power Party's Justice and Law Committee, urged caution, emphasizing the need to "ascertain the facts first" before pursuing impeachment.

This is 'judicial collusion' and 'lawless judicial conduct'.

— Kim Min-seokAccusing Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae of improper conduct in judicial nominations.

In response, Park Choong-hyun, a spokesperson for the People Power Party, denounced the Democratic Party's stance as an "arrogant rampage" and a blatant attempt to "tame the judiciary" by undermining the Chief Justice's legitimate right to recommend judicial appointments. The ruling party framed the opposition's demands as an overreach aimed at controlling the judicial branch.

Cho Hee-dae should come to his senses and leave immediately, or apologize.

— Kim Min-seokDemanding accountability from the Chief Justice.

The controversy highlights a deep political divide over judicial independence and the proper conduct of judicial appointments. The Democratic Party views Cho's actions as a sign of unchecked power and a departure from democratic norms, while the ruling party sees the opposition's reaction as a politically motivated attempt to interfere with the judiciary's functions.

The judiciary and Chief Justice Cho must face the people's retribution.

— Choi Min-heeCalling for strong action against the Chief Justice and the judiciary.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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