Pressure Mounts for Resignation Citing Judicial Reform Proposal and Judges' Online Posts
On October 22, the Democratic Party of Korea once again called for the resignation of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, citing online posts by sitting judges that criticized the Supreme Court's en banc ruling and the review process regarding President Lee Jaemyung this past May.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, "Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae is already unqualified to lead the judiciary. I hope he remembers that making a decision about his position is the only way to preserve his remaining honor."
Referring to the fact that some judges have demanded Chief Justice Cho's resignation while criticizing the Supreme Court's ruling on President Lee, Jeong emphasized, "I hope Chief Justice Cho responds to the requests from conscientious judges regarding his position."
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. 2025.10.22 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Regarding the opposition from the Supreme Court and opposition parties to increasing the number of Supreme Court justices-one of the six key judicial reform agendas announced by the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Judicial Reform on the 20th-Jeong pointed out, "Aren't Supreme Court justices suffering from excessive workloads? Isn't there a shortage of justices? Isn't it difficult to read all those case files and rulings?" He added, "So what is the problem with increasing the number of justices?"
The Supreme Court opposes the measure, arguing that expanding support staff for trials could undermine lower court proceedings, and that increasing the number of justices could reduce the frequency of en banc sessions, thereby weakening the function of legal review.
Addressing the controversy over the retrial petition system, which has sparked debate about a potential four-tier court system, Jeong stated, "The retrial petition system is meant to provide a way to address grievances when trials have not followed due process or have clearly violated the Constitution and the law." He criticized those who nitpick the process of public discussion on introducing the retrial petition system, asking, "Are judges divine? Are they infallible?"
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