Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said the party is substantively reviewing every available way to address what he described as wrongdoing by Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. His remarks on October 14 raised the possibility of impeachment while stopping short of announcing a formal motion, timetable or parliamentary vote.
Kim told the party’s Supreme Council that the public was watching Cho’s conduct and that the time for preserving his honor and dignity had passed. He also said patience for a voluntary resignation was not unlimited, intensifying the pressure on the chief justice to leave office.
We are substantively reviewing every option to correct the chief justice’s wrongdoing
The party leader linked his criticism to the Supreme Court’s handling of President Lee Jae-myung’s election-law case. Kim accused the court of intervening in the presidential election through its decision to overturn and remand the case, and he also cited Cho’s refusal to appear before a legislative hearing as an infringement of public rights. He further revived allegations involving the chief justice’s use of official expenses and payments to other justices.
- What was announced
- All response options are under substantive review
- Impeachment status
- Not excluded, but no formal motion was reported
- Immediate demand
- Chief Justice Cho should resign voluntarily
Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Kye-won clarified that impeachment was not being excluded from the options under consideration. The spokesperson characterized Kim’s message as a direct warning that Cho should resign while he still had the opportunity to do so voluntarily.
Political pressure has not yet become formal action
The distinction between considering impeachment and initiating it remains central. The available reports do not describe the filing of an impeachment motion, negotiations over a vote or a schedule for legislative action. For now, the comments represent an escalation in political pressure rather than confirmation that a constitutional removal process has begun.
The dispute directly affects the chief justice and the judiciary, while also carrying consequences for lawmakers who would have to decide whether to advance any formal action. The next developments to watch are whether the Democratic Party converts its warning into a specific proposal, whether party leaders disclose a timetable, and whether Cho responds to the resignation demand or the allegations cited by Kim.