Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Emphasizes Swift Nominations for Judicial Appointments

Democratic Party leadership hopefuls Kim Min-seok and Song Young-gil have stated their intention to pursue impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae if elected party leader. Song Young-gil accused Chief Justice Cho of sympathizing with the 'December 3 rebellion' and interfering in the presidential election by ruling on the public election law violation case of then-Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung in 2025. Song also argued for impeachment, claiming Cho is paralyzing the judiciary by refusing to recommend a successor for Supreme Court Justice Noh Tae-ak, who retired in March, a sentiment echoed by Kim Min-seok.

Presidential Office Senior Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jeong completely denied reports that the Presidential Office sympathized with the impeachment and status of the Chief Justice. Kang stated that the Presidential Office's position is that the nomination of successor Supreme Court justices must proceed swiftly in accordance with legal procedures.

Currently, no nomination has been made for the successor to Supreme Court Justice Noh Tae-ak, and Supreme Court Justice Lee Heung-gu is scheduled to retire on September 7. The Supreme Court's Third Division, which includes Justice Lee Heung-gu, is currently composed of Justices Lee Heung-gu, Lee Sook-yeon, and Oh Seok-jun.