Seven Criminal Allegations Pile Up Against 'Confucian Scholar' Chief Justice Jo Hee-de
Chief Justice Jo Hee-de of the Supreme Court faces at least seven criminal allegations raised in a single day at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit on the 6th, including refusing to take a witness oath and leaving the session without permission. In the process, demands are also mounting for both launching an investigation and pursuing impeachment simultaneously.
The first charge is refusing to take the witness oath. Under the National Assembly Act on Testimony and Appraisal, refusing an oath without justifiable grounds carries up to three years in prison or a fine of at least 10 million won and up to 30 million won, and the National Assembly can refer the witness to prosecutors. The law recognizes only two justifiable grounds: risk of criminal prosecution of oneself or close relatives, and professional confidentiality. But Chief Justice Jo cited a different reason, claiming that "demands for testimony about the appointment of justices could undermine the separation of powers and judicial independence." While court administration chief Noh Kyung-pil and other Supreme Court officials all stood and took the oath, Chief Justice Jo alone remained seated.
Questions over public funds have also surfaced. According to the Board of Audit and Inspection, since taking office Chief Justice Jo has paid justices a monthly cash 'incentive allowance' of 2 to 3 million won — an item that does not even exist on the books. The funds came from an 'other operating expenses' budget allocated for different purposes. At the audit, the committee chair pointed out that "many people would be subject to punishment for using public funds that way; it could constitute embezzlement of public funds." Lawyer Kim Kyung-ho, appearing as a witness at the audit, cited a precedent from the 2018 case of illegal payments from the National Intelligence Service's special activity funds, saying, "The structure is identical: paid in cash, without documentation, as a fixed monthly amount."
Amid this, calls have emerged to pursue investigation and impeachment at the same time. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Kyung-taek said on CBS Radio on the 7th, "He is refusing the appointment provision of the president stipulated in Article 104, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution, which means violating the Constitution, so impeachment should be considered." Former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Park Kyu-hwan also emphasized, "Whether it's the National Investigation Headquarters or the High-Ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency, an investigation must begin quickly."
From refusing the oath to leaving the audit session without permission, Chief Justice Jo has violated the Constitution and the law in succession. South Korean society has a precedent of impeaching and investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol for insurrection, holding him accountable on two tracks. Discussion is now taking concrete shape to hold Chief Justice Jo accountable through parallel impeachment and investigation.
