Jeong Jeong-sik: "Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Did Not Violate the Law... The People Will Judge If Impeachment Is Pursued"

On August 19, Jeong Jeomsik, floor leader of the People Power Party, commented on the growing calls within the ruling party for the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, after Cho recommended two new Supreme Court justice candidates without prior coordination with the Blue House. Jeong stated, "Chief Justice Cho has not committed any acts in violation of the law," and added, "He will not escape the anger and judgment of the people."

Jeong Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on August 14, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Through his social networking service (SNS) account on this day, Jeong said, "The purpose of the Blue House and the Democratic Party's intimidation of Chief Justice Cho is ultimately to erase President Lee Jaemyung's trial through the 'Supreme Court takeover,' which begins with the Supreme Court Expansion Act—one of the three notorious 'judicial destruction' bills."

Jeong first addressed the ruling party's reference to the "custom" of prior coordination with the Blue House, stating, "The ruling party is invoking a so-called 'crime of disrespect,' asking whether anyone dared to submit a candidate who does not align with the president's wishes, and did so in writing. If violating precedent were grounds for impeachment, then every Democratic Party member of the National Assembly would be subject to impeachment."

He continued, "If the Democratic Party, following the Blue House's wishes, intimidates the Chief Justice and even moves toward impeachment, this would break the final taboo against destroying the separation of powers," adding, "If the Constitution and the people come first, they should dismiss the call for impeachment and declare that they respect the Chief Justice's right to recommend appointments."

Jeong further called on Chief Justice Cho, saying, "I hope that you will not yield to the intimidation or threats of those in power, and that you will fully exercise your legal authority as Chief Justice until the last day of your term." He concluded, "Please recognize that the only way to stop these attempts to undermine the judiciary is for the court to resume President Lee's trial."

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