Ruling Bloc Split on Pace of Cho Hee-dae Impeachment Push; Opposition: "Go Ahead and Try"

The ruling bloc is showing a clear divide over the possible impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. With the Rebuilding Korea Party releasing a motion to impeach him and taking the lead, views within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea range from hardline to cautious. The opposition is stepping up its offensive, saying, "Impeaching the chief justice would pave the way for the government's downfall."

Yonhap News

Shin Jang-sik, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said on SBS's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" on October 20, "The problem is creating a precedent in which someone can act so arbitrarily, yet no one can do anything about it, and they simply serve out their term, regardless of whether the impeachment is upheld or rejected." He added, "During the Yoon Suk Yeol government, people said we were rushing too much and could face a backlash, but the same thing is happening all over again."

The Rebuilding Korea Party plans to make additional proposals that afternoon to persuade and bring the Democratic Party on board. "I understand that a major party has to move cautiously," Shin said. "But if the ruling party fails to act decisively when the time comes, the public will ask what it intends to do with all those seats."

Views within the ruling party, which holds the key, range from hardline to cautious. There are also serious concerns about the backlash if the impeachment motion is rejected or dismissed. Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok has also begun gauging public opinion, focusing on the party's parliamentary group. Son Sol, a lawmaker from the Progressive Party, appeared on YTN's "Jang Seong-cheol's News Myeongdang" and described the Democratic Party's mood, saying, "The motion won't even be introduced unless it is certain to receive majority support."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has stepped up its offensive, calling the ruling bloc's push to impeach Chief Justice Cho a "parliamentary coup." Its approval rating has also recently been rising, and the party appears to be benefiting from the ruling bloc's impeachment drive. "The Democratic Party's impeachment obsession has flared up again," People Power Party floor leader Jung Jeom-sik said that day.

The People Power Party believes that forcing through impeachment would trigger public resistance. On October 19, lawmaker Joo Ho-young said, "If you impeach the chief justice, be prepared for a second Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising." The party is also building momentum for actions outside the National Assembly, including street protests. "The people must root out the forces of injustice," party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said.

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