Jeong Cheongrae Criticizes Cho Heedae for Skipping Hearing: "Does the Judiciary Exist Above the Heavens?"

Democratic Party Supreme Council Meeting on the 29th
Strong Criticism of Cho Heedae's Absence from the Judiciary Committee Hearing

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, launched a fierce criticism against Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae for not attending the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing, questioning, "Does the judiciary exist above the heavens and the Constitution?"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on September 29, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Supreme Council meeting of the Democratic Party held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on September 29, Jeong mentioned Chief Justice Cho's absence from the hearing, stating, "He is citing Article 103 of the Constitution, which says 'Judges shall rule independently according to their conscience under the Constitution and the law,' as the reason for his absence, invoking judicial independence."

He continued, "Some media outlets are reporting that this is an unprecedented event, but that is not true. When I was the chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on May 14, Chief Justice Cho was also absent. The reason for his absence at that time was similar to the current situation," he added.

Jeong further stated, "If so, I ask the absent witness Cho Heedae: Was the extremely exceptional and unusual remand decision regarding presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung on May 1 in accordance with Article 103 of the Constitution?" He continued, "Was this not a channel for Chief Justice Cho's unconstitutional arrogance, suggesting that even a presidential candidate could be replaced? Is revealing the truth about the suspicion of election intervention by the absent witness Cho Heedae contrary to judicial independence?"

He emphasized, "No matter how high Mount Tai may be, no one lives above the sky. The legislative, executive, and judicial branches all exist below the heavens and the Constitution." Jeong continued, "Does the judiciary exist above the heavens and the Constitution? The judiciary judges members of the National Assembly in court, but no one claims that this infringes on the independence of the legislature or undermines the separation of powers."

He went on to argue, "Chief Justice Cho's refusal to attend is itself a denial of the legislature and an unconstitutional act that denies the separation of powers. Judicial independence means freedom from interference in a judge's rulings; it is not an invincible shield to prevent judges with suspicions from being summoned to the National Assembly."

Jeong called on Chief Justice Cho, "Instead of making absurd sophistry, appear confidently at the National Assembly hearing and reveal the truth. Our people have even ousted a president when necessary," he asserted.