Park Chan-dae, the General Election Headquarters Chief of the Democratic Party, has called for the resignation of Judge Ji Gui-yeon, who is presiding over the insurrection trial involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol. This follows allegations against the judge regarding visits to an entertainment venue known as a “room salon.”
During a central election strategy committee meeting held at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 21st, Park stated that Judge Ji, who has lost the public’s trust, should not preside over the high-profile December 3 insurrection trial. He urged Ji to step down, claiming that the judge’s false denial of the allegations was uncovered within hours and noted that it was inappropriate for the judge to deny involvement with the entertainment venue during court proceedings.
Park also criticized Judge Ji for allegedly releasing Yoon and conducting insurrection trials in secrecy, showing dissatisfaction with the judge’s handling of the trial. He added that the Supreme Court has launched an investigation into the allegations of hospitality, and the High-ranking Officials’ Corruption Investigation Unit has begun probing potential bribery and violations of the anti-corruption law. Park emphasized that if Judge Ji has any conscience, he should recuse himself from the December 3 insurrection trial and await the outcomes of the court and the investigation unit’s inquiries.
Democratic Party spokesperson Han Min-soo, in an interview with YTN Radio’s ‘News Fighting,’ also criticized the morality of a judge visiting such venues, asserting that if the Democratic Party, as the leading party, has made such allegations, the Supreme Court should conduct a more active job inspection and exclude Ji from his duties.
Previously, on May 14, the Democratic Party had alleged during a legislative judiciary committee meeting that Judge Ji received hospitality at a high-end Gangnam room salon with female attendants. However, on May 19, Judge Ji refuted these claims in court, describing his lifestyle as modest and asserting that he had never entertained the thought of visiting such places. He argued that investigating a judge’s private life amid significant ongoing trials could negatively impact proceedings and expressed concern about the Democratic Party’s relentless accusations.
In response, the Democratic Party released a photo allegedly showing Judge Ji with two male acquaintances at the room salon, claiming it as evidence of hospitality. Nonetheless, they acknowledged that the veracity of these claims should be determined through judicial or investigative processes.