"Let's Form a Joint Task Force to Impeach Cho Hee-dae"... Rebuilding Korea Party Formally Proposes to Democratic Party

Calls for joint meeting of lawmakers from five democratic and progressive parties
Urges judicial reforms, including abolishing the National Court Administration

The Cho Kuk Innovation Party on Tuesday proposed forming a joint task force of democratic and progressive parties to discuss impeaching Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Cho Hee-dae and abolishing the National Court Administration. The party pressed the Democratic Party of Korea, the largest party in the National Assembly, to make a decisive move.

Shin Jang-sik, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, said at a press conference at the National Assembly that day, "I urge all parties in the democratic and progressive camp, especially the Democratic Party, to take action rather than just talk." Recalling that his party had previously been the first to raise the possibility of impeaching former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Shin said, "Unfortunately, we are now facing the impeachment of the head of the judiciary, following the impeachment of the head of the executive branch."

Shin Jang-sik, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party (center), speaks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. Yonhap News Agency

On concerns about a public backlash, Shin said, "If we look at this from the people's perspective instead of reaching for an outdated political calculator, the answer is clear." He criticized Chief Justice Cho, saying, "He is not an impartial arbiter of the law but is seeking to rule from behind the scenes through legal technicalities," and that he "acts as if he can disregard national laws and arbitrarily dictate even the democratic constitutional order."

Shin called for "a joint task force to pursue Chief Justice Cho's impeachment," adding, "The Innovation Party is appointing Assemblyman Kim Hyungyeon, a former judge, Constitutional Research Officer and Minister of Government Legislation, to oversee the effort to impeach Chief Justice Cho." He added, "I ask the other parties to appoint their own representatives so we can come together as soon as today."

He also called for a joint meeting of the parliamentary caucuses of the five democratic and progressive parties and consultations among their floor leaders.

Shin said, "I hope the Democratic Party will think carefully about why the people gave it 161 seats, a majority in the National Assembly." He added, "If Chief Justice Cho takes no action as head of the judiciary, Kim Keon-hee will be released on October 31, when her detention period expires." He continued, "We do not know what will happen if Kim is released and becomes a focal point for the Yoon Again camp. Before then, the National Assembly must convene a one-off plenary session and vote on the impeachment motion."

Shin also called for judicial reform. "The Court Organization Act must be amended to abolish the National Court Administration, which maintains a system of an imperial chief justice, and to establish a Judicial Administration Commission," he said. "This would prevent one person or a specific group from monopolizing power over the courts."

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