Seoul: The presidential office announced its agreement "in principle" with the notion that Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae should consider reflecting on the public calls for his resignation. This statement was made following Rep. Choo Mi-ae's public request for Cho's resignation, accusing him of protecting individuals involved in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law imposition by delaying their trials.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung emphasized the importance of addressing public demand and the requirements of the time, noting the necessity for appointed authorities to evaluate the reasons for such demands. During a press briefing, Kang highlighted the significance of respecting the National Assembly, describing it as the primary elected institution representing the Constitution and the people's will, subtly indicating that the judiciary should heed Choo's calls.
Kang also commented on the judiciary's recent caution regarding the ruling Democratic Party (DP)'s judiciary reform bills. She noted that an authority appointed indirectly should observe legislative discussions and trust the legislature's ability to self-correct and deliberate internally.
Chief Justice Cho has previously emphasized the need to respect the independence of the judiciary and has committed to pursuing what he deems the "right path" to judicial reform. In a separate instance, DP leader Jung Chung-rae also advocated for Cho's resignation during a party meeting.
The DP is advancing judicial reform bills that propose increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 30, revising the recommendation and evaluation processes for justices and judges, enhancing public access to lower-court rulings, and implementing a preexamination system for search and seizure warrants. The party intends to pass these bills before the extended Chuseok holiday starting on October 3.