Cho Hee-dae on Ruling Party's Three Judicial Reform Bills: "A Grave Matter That Changes an 80-Year Framework"

On February 12 as well, he voiced concern over "serious harm to the people"

As the Democratic Party of Korea decided to handle the so-called "three judicial reform bills" at a plenary session, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae of the Supreme Court on February 23 expressed strong concern, saying, "This would fundamentally change the framework of the judicial system that has continued for nearly 80 years since the judiciary of the Republic of Korea was established."

Yonhap News Agency

Chief Justice Cho made these remarks in response to questions from reporters on his way into the Supreme Court building that morning regarding the Democratic Party's plan to push ahead with the passage of the three major judicial reform bills. He said, "This involves grave matters that could fall under constitutional amendment issues, and it is a problem that could directly cause harm to the people." Concerning the argument that Korea should introduce a retrial-type constitutional complaint system with reference to the German case, he said, "Our Constitution is completely different in content from that of Germany."

He went on to stress, "I would like to reiterate to the people and to the National Assembly that it is desirable to make a decision only after going through a process of public discussion, listening extensively to the opinions of experts from all walks of life and to the views of the public, and holding sufficient debate."

The Democratic Party of Korea held a general meeting of its lawmakers at the National Assembly the previous day and decided to bring to the plenary session, which will convene starting on February 24, the so-called three major judicial reform bills, centered on introducing the crime of distortion of law, adopting a retrial-type constitutional complaint system, and increasing the number of Supreme Court justices.

Chief Justice Cho had also expressed strong concern about the judicial reform bills on February 12, saying that they were "an issue that would cause enormous harm to the people."