On the first day of the Chuseok holiday, political tensions escalated as Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae rejected a recommendation from the Blue House for a Supreme Court justice.
According to Yonhap News and political sources on September 24, the Democratic Party pressured Chief Justice Cho to reveal which political forces were behind his decision, while the People Power Party countered that the government and ruling party were using the investigation into the insurrection as a means to pressure him.
Park Sung-jun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, criticized Cho in a written briefing, stating, "This is an unprecedented abuse of power, obstructing the appointment authority granted to the president by the Constitution and the people. It is a clear violation of the Constitution and blatant self-serving politics."
He further demanded, "What did the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court justices discuss in their emergency meeting on the night of the insurrection? Who is behind Chief Justice Cho's overt political actions, and with which political forces or groups is he colluding?"
Shin Hyun-young, another spokesperson, echoed these sentiments in a written statement, asserting, "Chief Justice Cho ignored the internal discussions and public discourse of the Supreme Court. I hope he takes responsibility for the chaos he has caused and decides what is in the best interest of South Korea."
In contrast, Jeong Jeom-sik, the People Power Party's floor leader, claimed on Facebook that the consideration of establishing a special investigation unit for the insurrection was a form of public intimidation against Chief Justice Cho.
He added, "If we follow the Blue House's logic, it implies that there are still insurrection forces that warrant a special investigation. In such a serious situation, the president has traveled abroad 14 times."
Choi Soo-jin, the party's chief spokesperson, commented in a statement, "To dismiss the Chief Justice's legitimate recommendation and demand a new nominee that suits their preferences is a clear attempt to manipulate the judiciary. Is the president planning to be recorded in history as someone who undermined the separation of powers for personal safety and partisan interests?"
According to Yonhap News and political sources on September 24, the Democratic Party pressured Chief Justice Cho to reveal which political forces were behind his decision, while the People Power Party countered that the government and ruling party were using the investigation into the insurrection as a means to pressure him.
Park Sung-jun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, criticized Cho in a written briefing, stating, "This is an unprecedented abuse of power, obstructing the appointment authority granted to the president by the Constitution and the people. It is a clear violation of the Constitution and blatant self-serving politics."
He further demanded, "What did the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court justices discuss in their emergency meeting on the night of the insurrection? Who is behind Chief Justice Cho's overt political actions, and with which political forces or groups is he colluding?"
Shin Hyun-young, another spokesperson, echoed these sentiments in a written statement, asserting, "Chief Justice Cho ignored the internal discussions and public discourse of the Supreme Court. I hope he takes responsibility for the chaos he has caused and decides what is in the best interest of South Korea."
In contrast, Jeong Jeom-sik, the People Power Party's floor leader, claimed on Facebook that the consideration of establishing a special investigation unit for the insurrection was a form of public intimidation against Chief Justice Cho.
He added, "If we follow the Blue House's logic, it implies that there are still insurrection forces that warrant a special investigation. In such a serious situation, the president has traveled abroad 14 times."
Choi Soo-jin, the party's chief spokesperson, commented in a statement, "To dismiss the Chief Justice's legitimate recommendation and demand a new nominee that suits their preferences is a clear attempt to manipulate the judiciary. Is the president planning to be recorded in history as someone who undermined the separation of powers for personal safety and partisan interests?"
* This article has been translated by AI.
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