The Democratic Party is focusing its efforts on judicial reform following the historic abolition of the prosecution service for the first time in 78 years. They are applying pressure for Cho Hee-dae, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, to attend a parliamentary hearing concerning allegations of his involvement in the presidential election. In addition, they are preparing to announce a judicial reform plan centered on increasing the number of Supreme Court justices. However, there are internal discussions within the party about moderating the pace of judicial reforms, leading to adjustments in the details and timing of the announcement.
On September 29, the Democratic Party’s Special Committee on Judicial Reform is in the final stages of drafting their judicial reform plan. Although a final announcement was initially scheduled for that day, it was postponed for further coordination among the committee’s chair and party leadership. The proposed plan involves increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from the current 14 to 26 over three years, among other reforms.
As the Democratic Party finalizes its judicial reform strategy, it is also carefully considering the timing of its announcement, mindful of the ongoing aggressive scrutiny of the judiciary, including the hearing for Chief Justice Cho and other judicial matters. There is debate on whether the current timing is appropriate for such an announcement.
Meanwhile, the party is intensifying its focus on Chief Justice Cho’s parliamentary hearing. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae emphasized during the party’s top executive meeting that Chief Justice Cho’s repeated absence from the hearings is unacceptable. They have also suggested that there were meetings between Chief Justice Cho, Prime Minister Han Duk-soo, and others intended to influence the presidential election. These allegations have prompted the party to lead efforts in the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee to hold related hearings.
Chief Justice Cho submitted his refusal to attend the hearing, citing constitutional articles that ensure judicial independence, alongside other justices who also filed non-attendance statements. Despite this, the Democratic Party’s Vice-Chair highlighted the necessity for Chief Justice Cho to clarify his position to restore public confidence in the judiciary.