The Democratic Party of Korea launched a full-scale offensive against Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de on Friday, one week before the detention period of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo — who faces insurrection charges — is set to expire Nov. 20.
Speaking at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok warned that releasing Han would cross a line the public would not tolerate. "Freeing Han Duck-soo symbolizes the revival of insurrection — it is a national red line that must not be crossed," Kim said, directing his remarks at the Supreme Court under Chief Justice Jo. "If that line is crossed, those responsible will have to answer for everything that follows."
Supreme council member Seo Mi-hwa echoed the criticism at the same meeting, pointing to what she described as a double standard in the court's handling of two high-profile cases. "The Public Official Election Act case against presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung was sent back with a guilty ruling in just nine days, yet Han Duck-soo's second hearing is barely being held the day before his detention expires," Seo said. "They intend to proceed with the appeal while Han Duck-soo walks free."
Fellow council member Jeon Yong-gi said Chief Justice Jo himself was assembling the pieces that would lead to his own impeachment. "It is not the Democratic Party completing the impeachment puzzle — it is Chief Justice Jo who is doing it," Jeon said. "The moment Han Duck-soo walks out of the detention center, Chief Justice Jo will be the one who finishes that puzzle."
The Democratic Party had originally planned to begin formal proceedings for a parliamentary investigation into Chief Justice Jo earlier this month, but the move was delayed after internal debate produced competing calls for caution and for moving directly to impeachment.
The party is expected to determine its course of action against Chief Justice Jo based on whether Han is ultimately released.
Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-jun told reporters after the meeting that the party sees Han's release Nov. 20 as all but certain. "It seems to be treated as a foregone conclusion that Han Duck-soo will be released," Park said. "We have no choice but to hold Chief Justice Jo accountable." Park added that the party views the delays as deliberate. "There is no other way to read this than that he intentionally dragged his feet to free Han Duck-soo," Park said. "The party leadership is working out the appropriate level of response and specific measures against the Supreme Court's unreasonable conduct."
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