Cho Hee-dae Calls Question Asking if He Dreams of Becoming a 'Second Yoon Suk Yeol' "Insulting and Sad"

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae responded today (October 6) during a parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court to Progressive Party lawmaker Son Sol's question asking if he "dreams of becoming a second Yoon Suk Yeol," saying, "Such remarks are so insulting and sad."

Cho attended the parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court held at the National Assembly this morning and planned to leave after delivering opening remarks in accordance with precedent, but has remained seated for nearly two hours after being adopted as a general witness led by the Democratic Party of Korea and requested to testify.

Cho stated that he would not take an oath or testify, citing the principles of the separation of powers and judicial independence, but lawmakers aligned with the ruling bloc continued a barrage of questions directed at him.

Lawmaker Son Sol asked Cho, "Do you perhaps dream of becoming a second Yoon Suk Yeol?" adding, "Many citizens are asking whether you are engaging in politics while wearing judicial robes."

Cho, who had remained silent, leaned toward the microphone at Son's remarks and replied with a stern expression to the effect that it was insulting.

Lawmakers of the People Power Party fiercely protested against Son's questioning.

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Tae-gyu shouted at Son, "What poor standards. Learn to be a human being first," and shouted at Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Yong-min, "Did you get triggered by Owl Rock?"

Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Suh Young-kyo suspended Kim's speaking privileges, saying, "Representative Kim Tae-gyu's remarks are too unspeakable to utter."

In response, People Power Party lawmakers Park Hyung-soo and Kwak Kyu-taek approached Chair Suh to protest, leading to a heated verbal dispute between ruling and opposition lawmakers.

Regarding Chair Suh Young-kyo's question about the payment of encouragement funds to Supreme Court justices—which came to light through a recent regular audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection—Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae pushed back, saying, "The Chief Justice does not disburse the state salary or encouragement funds," adding, "There is a separate disbursing officer who spends it, and the Chief Justice does not intervene in that at all."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.