Ruling party: Supreme Court chief justice is a political player, should resign

The Democratic Party intensified its criticism of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae on August 23, with spokesperson Park Sung-joon demanding his resignation and accusing him of "becoming a political player." The party is particularly incensed by Cho's submission of two Supreme Court justice candidates without a prior meeting with President Lee Jae-myung.

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Cho Hee-dae has already become a political player.

Park stated that Cho "threw away the dignity and honor that he should have maintained as the head of the judiciary," degrading himself into a "Chief Justice of the Century." He argued that "political judges" exploit judicial independence as a shield to justify the politicization of the judiciary. "Resignation is the only way to atone for the collapsed judicial justice and before the people," Park declared.

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Resignation is the only way to atone for the collapsed judicial justice and before the people.

Speaking to reporters after the briefing, Park accused Cho of mistaking his right to recommend candidates for the right to appoint them. "What right does a Chief Justice not elected by the people have to appoint?" he questioned, asserting that Cho's actions deny democratic systems and legitimacy. He emphasized that past Chief Justices met with the President to discuss matters for the stability of the democratic system.

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Cho Hee-dae is mistaking the right to recommend candidates for the right to appoint them.

Regarding the possibility of impeaching Cho, Park stated that the Chief Justice is "fully qualified and capable of being impeached." However, he also questioned whether the judiciary should not take a stance on Cho's actions, which have eroded public trust. The party's continued offensive signals a deepening political conflict surrounding the Supreme Court.

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Cho Hee-dae is fully qualified and capable of being impeached.