Lee Seok-yeon, the co-chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea and a former head of the Legislative Affairs Office during the Lee Myung-bak administration, said on the 15th that the Democratic Party should "exercise restraint" in pushing for a special investigation law regarding Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae.
On that day, the chairperson stated on CBS Radio that "caution should be exercised regarding the special investigation law and impeachment, and restraint is necessary," adding, "The public is already judging, and it is in line with the spirit of the Constitution, so I hope for restraint in that regard and will advise (the Democratic Party) accordingly."
The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee proposed the special investigation law (Cho Hee-dae special investigation law) to investigate judicial abuses by Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, led by the Democratic Party, and referred it to a subcommittee the previous day. The Democratic Party moved to pursue a special investigation into Chief Justice Cho after the Supreme Court remanded the public office election law violation case of presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung with a guilty verdict on the 1st.
The chairperson noted, "It varies depending on the situation, but since it is a kind of political judgment, I don't think it will go to a plenary session," and added, "In the process of proposing the special investigation law, both I and election committee chairperson Kang Geum-sil conveyed our opinions to the party leadership that 'this is too much,' and the proposal itself has been put on hold for now."
Director General Ji Gwi-yeon, who is presiding over the insurrection trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, argued that Chief Justice Cho should personally apologize regarding allegations that he received favors at a nightlife venue. He also emphasized that Director General Ji should step down from the trial related to former President Yoon.
The chairperson stated, "While the issue of consideration for favors needs to be assessed, this is not simply a disciplinary issue or a violation of the Anti-Corruption Act, but could become a subject of punishment under criminal law related to bribery," adding, "Director General Ji should clarify his stance today and step down from this trial. The Chief Justice must apologize to the public regarding this situation."