On the 25th, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae told newly appointed judges to conduct trials "with a calm and steadfast attitude."
At the appointment ceremony for new judges that day, Chief Justice Cho said, "Deeply reflect on the constitutional spirit that guarantees the independence of trials, and approach your cases with a calm, unwavering and steadfast attitude, following only the Constitution, the law, and your conscience."
He added, "The Constitution proclaims the independence of trials and guarantees the status of judges." He continued, "This is grounded in the firm belief and historical experience that only through independent adjudication can the judiciary fully carry out its constitutional mission and faithfully protect the basic rights of the people."
Chief Justice Cho also said, "Judicial independence is not obtained automatically, and judges must never forget, even for a moment, that they are servants of the people, the sovereign." He said, "To meet the public's expectations for their mission of the times, judges should reflect on the spirit of shindok (慎獨)—being vigilant even when alone—not only in the public sphere but also in private matters, and always and everywhere maintain self-restraint and discipline."
Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, led by lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, decided to hold an emergency hearing on the 30th titled "Emergency hearing on allegations of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's interference in the presidential election." Some Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers, including Committee Chair Chu Mi-ae, argue that Chief Justice Cho unusually expedited the Supreme Court's ruling in President Lee Jae-myung's appeal in the public official election law violation case for the purpose of intervening in the presidential election. The Supreme Court en banc on May 1 overturned and remanded President Lee's public official election law violation case with a finding of guilt.