The Democratic Party of Korea on the 23rd urged Chief Justice Jo Hee-de to resign, calling him "a chief justice of the ages who denies democratic legitimacy." It raised the level of criticism by pressing again for his resignation four days after Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok on the 19th demanded that Jo step down.
Park Sung-joon, the party's chief spokesperson, held a press conference at the National Assembly that day urging the chief justice to resign and said, "Past chief justices of the Republic of Korea have been symbols of the rule of law and objects of dignity and respect, but the current Chief Justice Jo has thrown away his own dignity and degenerated into a 'chief justice of the ages.'"
On the 19th, leader Kim also pressed for Jo's resignation at a supreme council meeting. Kim, referring to Jo recommending a Supreme Court justice in writing, said, "It's the attitude of a delinquent student who, after breaking a window, begs to be expelled, saying they won't study," adding, "Since liberation, the worst chief justice, Jo Hee-de, should step down."
Right after the briefing, Park met reporters and said, "The final appointment authority rests with the president chosen by the people," adding, "Under the principle of balance among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, the chief justice has the right to recommend Supreme Court justices, and the president has the final appointment authority."
He continued, "If we granted appointment authority based on democratic legitimacy to the president elected by the people, why would past chief justices have met the president face-to-face to exchange views?" adding, "It is for the stability of the democratic system." He then said, "(Chief Justice Jo) is mistaking the right to recommend for the right to appoint," and asked rhetorically, "What appointment authority does a chief justice, who is not elected by the people, have?"
Park also sharpened his criticism toward the judiciary. He said, "Chief Justice Jo is already a political player," adding, "For the sake of judicial independence, we should shout for Chief Justice Jo to step down."
He went on, "Can't public institutions even issue a single position on a chief justice who has undermined the public's trust?" adding, "Just as we demand answers from politicians, we should demand answers from judges as well."