Ruling Party Begins Discussing Impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-de… Plans Measured Pace Until After National Assembly Audit

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 19th to gather internal opinions regarding the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-de (the head of the Supreme Court). Party leader Kim Min-seok instructed officials, centered on the floor leadership, to solicit opinions during a closed-door supreme council meeting. It has not yet been decided when or how the impeachment will proceed. Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Kye-won told reporters after the closed supreme council meeting on the 19th, "Leader Kim Min-seok said to intensively gather opinions, centered on the floor leadership, regarding the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho."

Spokesperson Cho added, "Rather than engaging in a battle over the impeachment, we will focus on sharing with the public Cho Hee-de's legal issues and his lack of qualifications as head of the judiciary," and "We will gauge public opinion on matters such as his refusal to take the oath and remarks suggesting there was no need to follow the procedures for recommending Supreme Court justices."

House spokesperson Lee Joo-hee said at the National Assembly communications office that day, "We are gathering opinions with various party members regarding the impeachment motion," and "We plan to thoroughly discuss every legal means available." She noted, "Since it is difficult to hold plenary sessions or general meetings of lawmakers during the National Assembly audit period, we will calmly gather opinions and map out our course after the audit concludes."