PPP Slams Pressure on Cho Heedae to Resign as "Outrage Against Separation of Powers"... Considers Impeachment of Lee

"Condemning the Lee Jaemyung Administration's Attempt to Seize Control of the Judiciary"
"Accelerating Parliamentary Dictatorship Through Fast-Track Prosecutions"
Considering Filibusters and Rallies Outside the Assembly
Impeachment and Retrial of President Lee Also Discussed

On September 16, the People Power Party criticized the ruling bloc's call for Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae to resign, calling it "an outrageous act that blatantly denies the separation of powers guaranteed by the Constitution and an anti-democratic idea aimed at reducing the court to a people's tribunal." The party stated that it is considering various forms of protest against the ruling party, including a National Assembly filibuster (a legal tactic to delay parliamentary proceedings through unlimited debate) and rallies outside the Assembly.

That morning, the People Power Party held an emergency general meeting of its lawmakers to condemn the Democratic Party's pressure on Chief Justice Cho to step down. Holding placards reading "Judicial Subordination, Crime Paradise" and "Court Collapse, Birth of Dictatorship," they chanted slogans such as "Let's protect democracy."

On September 16, Jang Donghyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, Song Eonseok, the floor leader, and other lawmakers shouted slogans holding placards that read "Court Collapse, Birth of Dictatorship, Judicial Subordination, Crime Heaven" at the party meeting held at the National Assembly. 2025.9.16 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, described the pressure on Chief Justice Cho to resign, the proposal to establish a special tribunal for insurrection, and the plan to increase the number of Supreme Court justices as attempts to seize control of the judiciary. Song stated, "The Lee Jaemyung administration, after taking over the legislative and executive branches, has now launched an all-out assault on the judiciary," adding, "They have finally opened the door to outright one-party dictatorship."

Song also compared the Lee Jaemyung administration to the Nazi regime. He said, "President Lee's claim that elected power stands above all is identical to the logic of the Nazi regime," and argued, "We must stop the delusion that power stands above the Constitution."

He reaffirmed his determination to fight against the ruling party. Song declared, "As a party that defends the Constitution, we will resolutely fight to the end against unconstitutional actions by those seeking to destroy our constitutional order," emphasizing, "We must hold this administration accountable, as it is driving the Republic of Korea to ruin, far beyond mere political retaliation against the opposition."

The 2019 National Assembly fast-track (expedited bill review) clash was also raised as an issue. Using this as a pretext, demands for President Lee's retrial and resignation were mentioned. The previous day, prosecutors requested a two-year prison sentence for lawmaker Na Kyungwon, who was indicted over the fast-track clash, and called for prison or fines for other People Power Party lawmakers.

Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on September 16, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

During the party's policy meeting and a statement at the general meeting, lawmaker Na Kyungwon said, "The Democratic Party is using this incident to accelerate parliamentary dictatorship, such as demanding my resignation as a member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the grounds of the prosecution's sentencing recommendation," and argued, "By that logic, President Lee, who received a Supreme Court ruling that effectively strips him of his right to run for office, should step down or face a retrial."

At the general meeting, various forms of protest against the ruling party were discussed. In addition to a National Assembly filibuster and rallies outside the Assembly, the party also stated its intention to seek a retrial for President Lee and consider impeachment.

Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters after the meeting, "There was a suggestion that we should filibuster all bills that have not been agreed upon between the ruling and opposition parties," adding, "Although the final decision will be made after discussions among the party leadership, many lawmakers expressed their support for this idea." He continued, "There was also talk that we should not limit ourselves to the walls of the National Assembly but take the fight outside and make it even stronger," and clarified, "No specific time or place for such actions has been decided yet."

The party is also considering submitting a petition to resume President Lee's trial. Park stated, "We are exploring all possible legal means, including the impeachment of President Lee," and added, "We have begun preparations to proceed with legal procedures."