Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok puts impeachment of Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae on the table; PPP fires back with ‘impeach Lee Jae-myung’
First seen · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul) · Last updated · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul)
Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on Oct. 16 the party has begun discussing every option, including impeaching Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae. The opposition People Power Party countered that if an impeachment motion is filed, the public will cry ‘impeach Lee Jae-myung.’
What happened
Speaking on the party’s YouTube channel on Oct. 16, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said calls to impeach Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae were widespread and that the party had “put everything on the table and begun discussing every method and path.” Observers said the remark went further than his comment at an Oct. 14 Supreme Council meeting that “our patience for a voluntary resignation is not unlimited.”
Why it's trending
The ruling party has been bristling since Jo rejected Cheong Wa Dae’s request to re-nominate Supreme Court justices, and the remark drew attention as the first time the ruling party leader had formally raised impeachment. Media also noted that it came just two days after Kim’s older brother, Kim Min-woong, head of the civic group Candlelight Action, proposed impeaching Jo as the group’s first task on Oct. 14.
Reactions
Rep. Kim Ki-pyo of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee said “there are more than enough grounds for impeachment,” and party spokesperson Shin Hyun-young said impeachment was not ruled out. The People Power Party retorted that the moment an impeachment motion against Jo is filed, the public will cry ‘impeach Lee Jae-myung.’
What to watch
The Democratic Party leadership has not yet decided to actually file an impeachment motion. With the clash with the judiciary dragging on, a sharper standoff between the ruling and opposition parties is expected toward the end of the year.