Democratic Party Cites 'Meeting Theory' as Grounds for Chief Justice's Resignation
Evidence Based on AI-Generated Tip-Off Recording from YouTube Channel
Cheon Haram: "Ruling Party Lawmakers Acting as Megaphones for Conspiracy Theories"
After the verdict on the impeachment trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, a so-called "meeting of four" theory is facing backlash. This theory alleges that Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae of the Supreme Court met with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former Prosecutor General Jeong Sang-myeong, and others to discuss President Lee Jaemyung's Supreme Court appeal regarding the Public Official Election Act. The main evidence cited by members of the Democratic Party was a tip-off voice recording, but it has now been refuted as an AI-generated voice.
Cheon Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, criticized at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th, saying, "Ruling party lawmakers are once again acting as megaphones for conspiracy theories, just like 'Cheongdam-dong Cellist Season 2.' It is not only laughable but bizarre that they are attacking the judiciary, getting excited over an audio file made with an AI voice by a YouTuber, and spreading conspiracy theories without any evidence."
Lee Kiin, Secretary-General of the Reform New Party, also commented on social media on the 18th, "The Democratic Party should clarify the source and basis of the 'informant' who reported Chief Justice Cho's 'dinner with four,' and whether they had prior knowledge or confirmation that the recording had been artificially processed through AI reproduction, voice modulation, or editing. Isn't it time for the Democratic Party to end this self-made politics?"
The voice recording indicates that it was created by AI based on a tip-off. YouTube Open Sympathy TV.
The recording, which was used as grounds by the Democratic Party to call for Chief Justice Cho's resignation, was first released on May 10 through "Open Sympathy TV," a YouTube channel with pro-ruling party leanings, claiming it was received as a tip-off. In the audio, the speaker claimed, "I heard that after the impeachment verdict on April 4, on either April 7, April 10, or April 15, Cho Hee-dae, Jeong Sang-myeong, Kim Choongsik (an associate of First Lady Kim Keon-hee's mother), and Han Duck-soo had lunch together. At that meeting, Cho Hee-dae allegedly said, 'If the Lee Jaemyung case goes up to the Supreme Court, we will handle it accordingly.'"
It was reported that the YouTube broadcast played the recording while announcing, "This audio was created by AI and was not actually recorded by a specific individual." In other words, it was not the actual voice of the informant.
At the time, ahead of the early presidential election, the ruling party was claiming a "judicial coup" after the Supreme Court overturned and remanded President Lee's Public Official Election Act violation case just two days after he was acquitted in the second trial. The tip-off emerged in this context. Four days later, on May 14, Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Youngkyo played the recording at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, asserting the "meeting of four" theory.
However, on the 17th, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, through the National Court Administration, denied the allegations, stating, "Recently, there have been suspicions raised in political circles that the Chief Justice met with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and others to discuss the handling of the president's Public Official Election Act case. However, the Chief Justice has never discussed this criminal case with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo or anyone else outside the court, and he clearly states that he has never had any conversation or meeting with the other individuals mentioned regarding the suspicions being raised." This has cast doubt on the authenticity of the tip-off.
Nevertheless, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae said, "During the 12·3 Martial Law and the Western District Court riot, Chief Justice Cho's mouth was heavy, but yesterday he spoke lightly. When it comes to his own suspicions, he opened his mouth very lightly and quickly," adding, "If Chief Justice Cho feels wronged, he should confidently appear before a special prosecutor, undergo an investigation, and prove his innocence."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
