Song Young-gil: "Will Push for Impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae... Judicial Power Above the People Must Be Held Accountable"

Song Young-gil: "Plenty of Reasons for Impeachment"

Cites Refusal to Appoint Supreme Court Justice,

Actions During Martial Law, and Alleged Election Intervention

Song Young-gil, a candidate for the Democratic Party's leadership, announced on the 5th that he would push for the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, raising issues such as the refusal to appoint Supreme Court Justices.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on this day, Song stated, "There are countless reasons why the impeachment of Cho Hee-dae is necessary, but I will list just three key points," identifying the refusal to appoint Supreme Court Justices, actions during the period of emergency martial law, and intervention in the presidential election as the main reasons.

Song Young-gil, a candidate for the Democratic Party's leadership, is heading to the press conference room at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 5th to hold a press conference related to judicial reform, including the push for the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

He pointed out that the nomination for the successor to Supreme Court Justice Noh Tae-ak, who retired on March 3 this year, has not been made, and argued, "Typically, the Chief Justice recommends a candidate within two weeks upon receiving the recommendation." Song emphasized, "Under the Constitution, nomination is not only the authority of the Chief Justice but also an obligation. Refusing this obligation is a clear dereliction of duty," adding, "He must be judged by the law."

Regarding the emergency martial law, Song said, "The judiciary officially described the martial law as 'unconstitutional' only eight days after it was enacted," and argued, "Instead of pointing out the illegality of the martial law, the judiciary was calculating its own future after martial law. That silence amounted to tacit consent."

He also referred to the Supreme Court overturning the appellate court's verdict in violation of the Public Official Election Act with a guilty ruling for then-presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung, claiming, "They illegally intervened in the presidential election." He described this incident as "election interference in the name of the judiciary."

Song stressed, "Above the judiciary is the Constitution, and above the Constitution are the people," adding, "Unconstitutional judicial power that seeks to rule over the people must be held accountable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.