At the National Assembly's audit of state affairs, even a photo appeared that composited Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae with the portrait of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan's Sengoku period and launched the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Criticism poured in from inside and outside politics.
Independent lawmaker Choi Hyuk-jin, at the Supreme Court's audit during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 13th, cited some trial outcomes toward Chief Justice Cho and claimed it was "pro-Japanese judiciary."
He then held a placard that read "Joyotomi Heedaeyoshi," a portmanteau of Chief Justice Cho's name and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The placard showed Cho's face composited onto Toyotomi Hideyoshi's portrait.
Former lawmaker Keum Tae-seop wrote on Facebook, "I have seen many ugly things in politics, but this scene seems to be the most vulgar and ugly of all."
He added, "This photo shows Rep. Choi saying, 'Yoon Suk-yeol appointed Cho Hee-dae as a strategic choice to turn the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea into Japan's Supreme Court,'" and said, "Setting aside how preposterous it is, the conspiratorial lens, the demonization of the other side, and the discriminatory view embedded in that remark are suffocating."
Keum said, "As one citizen of the Republic of Korea, it is shameful and horrifying that such people claim to represent the people."
Jin Jung-kwon, a special professor at Kwangwoon University, wrote on Facebook, "A frenzied Red Guards show," calling it "the scene of a 21st-century people's court where the head of the judiciary is paraded and humiliated for an hour and a half by boorish political thugs wearing armbands."
Jin said, "Is this Cambodia? It is devastating," and added, "The 'gae-ddal' politics has devoured the party, devoured the National Assembly, and is now at the stage of devouring the judiciary."
Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok said, "Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Chief Justice Cho share no resemblance." He continued, "Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a lower-ranking samurai who was endlessly obsessed with rising in status, and even after reaching the pinnacle of power, he repeatedly made personnel choices centered on close aides and trusted no one, a hysterical figure," adding, "He was someone who could not be content with what he had, called himself 'master of the realm,' and even engaged in invasions."
Lee said, "The person who resembles such a figure is elsewhere," adding, "The Democratic Party and President Lee Jae-myung's relentless pursuit of more power and the attitude of suspecting everyone who does not follow them resemble the desire of the 'master of the realm' that Toyotomi Hideyoshi dreamed of." Regarding "master of the realm," he said it was "a delusion of grandeur to seize not only Japan but also Joseon and China."
Critical voices also came from the Democratic Party's side. Seo Yong-joo, head of the Maek Institute for Politics and Society and a former standing deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Party, appeared on YTN and said, "The core of the questions for the chief justice was the part that reminds us that even inside the judiciary, senior judges said the remand decision in the early presidential election at the time was unusual," adding, "Why suddenly bring up pro-Japanese talk?" He also said, "Rep. Choi is not a Democratic Party lawmaker."
Rep. Choi served as secretary for social economy at the Blue House under the Moon Jae-in administration. In the 22nd general election, again under the Basic Income Party's allotment, he received the No. 16 spot on the proportional representation list of the Democratic Alliance for Korea, the Democratic Party of Korea's satellite party for proportional representation.
Initially, candidates up to No. 14 were elected, and after President Lee Jae-myung took office, Wi Sung-lac, who had been a proportional lawmaker, and presidential office spokesperson Kang Yu-jung were tapped for the presidential office. As a result, along with No. 15, Rep. Son Sol of The Progressive Party, Rep. Choi also became a lawmaker. After the general election, the Democratic Alliance for Korea merged into the Democratic Party of Korea, and Rep. Choi, breaking with precedent, insisted he would remain with the Democratic Party instead of returning to the Basic Income Party. Basic Income Party leader Yong Hye-in said to Rep. Choi, "You betrayed the party members," and Rep. Choi is currently independent.
Chief Justice Cho remaining in the audit chamber also deviated from precedent. The previous day, as customary, he sought to give opening remarks at the Supreme Court audit and leave, but Choo Mi-ae, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chair from the Democratic Party, blocked him. Lawmakers from the ruling camp mounted an offensive against Cho. Until now, at audits of state affairs, the head of the Court Administration has answered on specific judicial administration.