Jeong Cheongrae Intensifies Pressure on Chief Justice Cho Huidae
Reform Party: "A Violent Act That Undermines Democracy"
"A Self-Defeating Path That Will Swallow Even President Lee"
The Reform Party has criticized Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, for intensifying pressure on Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Huidae, warning, "If you continue like this, even President Lee Jaemyung will be replaced." On the 24th, Lee Donghun, chief spokesperson for the Reform Party, stated in a commentary, "The attitude of replacing the head of the judiciary according to the convenience and needs of those in power is a violent act that undermines the basic order of democracy."
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Chief Spokesperson Lee pointed out, "Representative Jeong mentioned former presidents Syngman Rhee, Park Chunghee, Chun Doohwan, Roh Taewoo, Lee Myungbak, Park Geunhye, and Yoon Sukyeol, claiming that 'the people replaced them all.' However, the people's judgment has always remained within the boundaries of the Constitution and the rule of law. It was an exercise of the people's sovereignty, not the result of a political party wielding power at will." He continued, "The Democratic Party's style of 'politics of replacement' will ultimately lead to a self-defeating path that will swallow up even their own president, Lee Jaemyung. If such politics continue, the people will inevitably replace this president as well."
He further added, "The Democratic Party is trying to shake the Chief Justice and push ahead with an unprecedented confirmation hearing based on unverified rumors of a meeting. This is truly the arrogance and conceit of wielding elected power. It is a dangerous provocation that shakes the very foundation of liberal democracy in Korea."
On the 23rd, Representative Jeong wrote on social media, "Our people ousted President Syngman Rhee, fought against Park Chunghee's Yushin dictatorship, sent Chun Doohwan and Roh Taewoo to prison for the Gwangju Massacre, imprisoned Lee Myungbak for corruption and irregularities, and impeached Park Geunhye for state affairs manipulation and Yoon Sukyeol for rebellion. If even presidents can be replaced, what is the Chief Justice compared to that?"
On the 24th, at the Supreme Council meeting, Representative Jeong lashed out at the People Power Party, which protested the holding of a confirmation hearing for Chief Justice Cho by calling it the 'death of the separation of powers.' He said, "Your party should be ashamed of the presidents it produced. How dare you talk about the death of the separation of powers?" He continued, "The People Power Party and the media talking about the death of the separation of powers over this confirmation hearing is a comedy in the eyes of history. Just four years ago, the People Power Party did everything possible to pressure former Chief Justice Kim Myungsoo to resign." He then played a video of some People Power Party lawmakers protesting at the Supreme Court in April 2021, demanding a meeting with then-Chief Justice Kim Myungsoo.
He also emphasized, "The real person who undermined the separation of powers is Chief Justice Cho, who should be the last bastion of this principle, due to suspicions of interfering in the presidential election. The confirmation hearing for the Chief Justice is a consequence of the arrogance and conceit that the candidate could be swapped right before the election." He added, "I hope Law and Judiciary Committee members, including Chairperson Choo Mi-ae, will do their best."
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