Yonhap News1 hour agoOpinion2 min readSouth Korea

(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Oct. 19)

Quick Look

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok raised the prospect of impeaching Chief Justice Jo Hee-de, citing grounds such as refusal to renominate a Supreme Court justice and alleged misuse of expenses, though legal experts question if these meet constitutional thresholds, and warn the move could undermine judicial independence amid declining public approval for the party.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Democratic Party has pressured Chief Justice Jo Hee-de to resign voluntarily and has now raised the possibility of impeachment, citing his refusal to renominate a Supreme Court justice, refusal to take an oath as a witness during a parliamentary audit, and alleged misuse of official expenses. The party has enough seats in the National Assembly to pass an impeachment motion alone, but legal scholars question whether the grounds meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.

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Is the ruling party misreading public sentiment on Jo's impeachment?

Democratic Party (DP) leader Kim Min-seok formally raised the possibility of impeaching Chief Justice Jo Hee-de on Friday, saying the party had begun discussing "all possible methods and avenues."

Having repeatedly pressured Jo to resign voluntarily, Kim has now played his final card. Raising the prospect of impeaching the head of the judiciary, an extraordinary step in Korea's constitutional history, raises serious questions about whether the ruling party understands public sentiment.

Hard-liners within the DP have floated Jo's impeachment several times but refrained from acting, apparently fearing political backlash. Now they argue that grounds for impeachment are abundant.

They cite his refusal to renominate a Supreme Court justice, his refusal to take an oath as a witness during a parliamentary audit and alleged misuse of official expenses.

An impeachment motion against the chief justice requires approval from a majority of all National Assembly members. The DP has enough seats to pass it alone.

Jo would then be suspended from duty pending a Constitutional Court ruling. But whether the court would uphold his impeachment is another matter.

Impeachment requires a serious violation of the Constitution or law. Many legal scholars and practitioners question whether refusing to recommend a new nominee for justice meets that threshold. Some also dispute the constitutional basis for requesting renomination.

It would be even more inappropriate if the move were intended to overcome internal divisions over the nomination of Kim Ji-yong to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and rally the party's supporters.

The party leader should first confront the DP's political difficulties. Recent opinion polls show the party trailing the opposition People Power Party, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction.

The party has repeatedly shifted direction on major policies, including housing and comprehensive farmland inspections. Its leadership has failed to prevent these reversals from undermining public confidence.

If the impeachment initiative goes beyond pressuring Jo to resign and aims to suspend him through a parliamentary vote, it would be an especially dangerous undertaking.

Who would take responsibility for the institutional damage caused by leaving the judiciary without its chief justice?

DP leader Kim should immediately withdraw this impeachment initiative, which threatens constitutional order and judicial independence.

Rather than attempting to overcome declining approval ratings through increasingly confrontational measures, the ruling party should demonstrate its value by delivering tangible improvements in people's lives.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The Democratic Party will face significant public backlash if it proceeds with the impeachment of Chief Justice Jo Hee-de
Likely · Within weeks
The Constitutional Court is unlikely to uphold an impeachment of Chief Justice Jo Hee-de based on the cited grounds
Possible · Within months

Open Questions

Whether the Constitutional Court would uphold an impeachment of Chief Justice Jo Hee-de
What specific evidence exists of alleged misuse of official expenses by Jo Hee-de
Whether the Democratic Party's impeachment drive is primarily motivated by internal party dynamics over the nomination of Kim Ji-yong
How the public would react to a parliamentary impeachment of the chief justice