South Korean Democrats urge chief justice to quit, say impeachment not decided
In short
South Korea’s Democratic Party renewed calls on October 18 for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae (조희대) to resign while keeping impeachment among the options under review. Dong-A Ilbo reported that a party spokesperson said no decision to pursue impeachment had been made and further discussion was needed.
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South Korea’s Democratic Party renewed its demand on October 18 for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae (조희대) to resign, while saying impeachment remained under consideration rather than decided. Dong-A Ilbo’s report published October 19 quoted the party as calling for detailed consideration after the parliamentary audit. Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo (이용우) said the issue was not simple and required sufficient deliberation. Newsis reported that the spokesperson said the options included impeachment, investigation and other ways of seeking accountability. [ 22 , 24 ]
Lee accused Cho of refusing to make a renewed recommendation for a Supreme Court justice candidate, which the spokesperson described as an unconstitutional infringement of presidential appointment powers. The spokesperson said a vacancy lasting more than seven months harmed the public’s right to trial. Newsis also reported the spokesperson’s criticism of the Supreme Court’s refusal to provide documents concerning recommendations, citing the court’s stated concern that disclosure could seriously impede fair personnel administration. These were among the matters the Democratic Party cited in pressing for Cho’s departure. [ 22 ]
The People Power Party has opposed the impeachment discussions. On October 16, its floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik (정점식) challenged Democrats to introduce a motion and warned that it would provoke demands for President Lee Jae-myung’s impeachment, Yonhap reported. Jeong also accused the president of pressuring the chief justice over a preferred judicial candidate. Democrats rejected his warning the following day as irresponsible, saying scrutiny of alleged constitutional and legal violations was parliament’s duty. SBS reported the Democratic Party’s pledge to continue seeking accountability and the opposition’s warning that impeachment would signal the government’s downfall. [ 2 , 13 , 16 ]
Why it matters
The dispute involves Supreme Court appointments and allegations about judicial administration. The People Power Party has warned of a political backlash if an impeachment motion is introduced.
Key facts
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether and when the Democratic Party will introduce an impeachment motion. The latest report says a decision had not been made and further discussion was needed.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 16, Yonhap reported Jeong’s warning of backlash over impeachment. [ 2 ]
- On October 18, Newsis reported that Democrats were considering impeachment, investigation and other options. [ 22 ]
- On October 19, Dong-A Ilbo reported the party’s call for further discussion before any impeachment decision. [ 24 ]