Jeong Cheongrae Urges Chief Justice Cho Heedae to Resolve Crisis: "Public Distrust Is Self-Inflicted"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, once again urged Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae to resign on September 19, criticizing the judiciary's decision to add a judge to the panel handling the case involving former President Yoon Sukyeol. He said, "Do you think adding one judge will be enough to deflect suspicions of interference in the presidential election?"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the main building of the National Assembly that day, Jeong stated, "It is already too late. I am concerned that the insurrection trial is not proceeding properly and that all those involved might be released once their detention period expires."

Jeong continued, "The court is belatedly saying it will consider increasing the number of judges in the Criminal Agreement Division 25, which is handling the insurrection case, and reassigning general cases, separate from the Democratic Party’s bill. I ask Cho Heedae: why didn’t you establish a dedicated panel for the insurrection case from the beginning?"

He added, "If the normal procedures had been followed for Lee Jaemyung, who was then a presidential candidate, there would have been no suspicion of an attempt to replace the candidate. Why did you have to rush the Supreme Court’s remand decision on Lee Jaemyung’s violation of the Public Official Election Act as if it were an emergency? Do you still feel the same way? Please clarify your position."

He further insisted, "All the internal criticism and public distrust surrounding Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae are problems he brought upon himself. He should resolve the situation himself."

Meanwhile, Jeong also called again for an apology from Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, regarding Song’s comment during Jeong’s speech as the representative of the negotiation bloc in the National Assembly. Song had said, in effect, "It would have been better if things had gone according to Nosangwon’s notebook." Jeong said, "By the way, Assemblyman Song Eonseok, how long do you intend to hold out without apologizing?"