Why the Unprecedented 'Impeachment Card'? A Bold Move to Rally Supporters

[Anchor]

In South Korea's constitutional history, there has never been a case where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was impeached by the National Assembly, nor ultimately removed from office through impeachment. Why, then, has the ruling party brought up the card of reviewing the impeachment of the Supreme Court Chief Justice at this very moment? In a public opinion poll released today (October 16), the approval rating of President Lee Jae-myung, marking his 500th day in office, stood at 39%. Analyses suggest that the party is attempting to rally its support base and seek a political turnaround through this "impeachment card."

Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

Today, on President Lee Jae-myung's 500th day in office, polling firm Gallup Korea released the results of a survey conducted over three days from October 13 on 1,003 adults aged 18 and older nationwide, showing President Lee's approval rating at 39%.

According to the Gallup poll, President Lee's approval rating fell below 50% for the first time in the survey during the second week of August and has since remained in the 30% range in the four most recent surveys.

When asked about the general election scheduled in a year and a half, 34% answered that "many ruling party candidates should be elected," while 47% responded that "many opposition candidates should be elected."

Against this backdrop, attention is focused on the reasons behind Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok officially putting forward the option of reviewing the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae.

Analysts say the move is partly calculated to solidify the support base and counter centrifugal forces—such as the departure of the so-called "core supporters" amid controversies over prosecution reform and the appointment of the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office—especially as "anti-Cho Hee-dae sentiment" remains strong among the broader pro-ruling camp.

This comes as Chief Justice Cho's direct clash with President Lee over his refusal to re-nominate Supreme Court justice candidates serves as a centripetal force within the ruling bloc.

[Cho Hee-dae / Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (October 6): "Interfering with the Chief Justice's recommendation is an unconstitutional measure that contradicts the distribution of powers among state institutions explicitly set forth in the Constitution, as well as the independence of the judiciary."]

Views have also grown within the broader ruling camp that the criteria for impeachment have already been met, citing Chief Justice Cho's remark to President Lee that "interference in recommendation is unconstitutional" and his refusal to take a witness oath during the parliamentary audit.

[Kim Ki-pyo / Democratic Party Lawmaker: "The grounds for impeachment are more than overflowing. That is why I am arguing that he unconditionally must be impeached in this current situation."]

However, cautious voices remain strong in some quarters of the ruling party, given that an unprecedented suspension of the Chief Justice's duties through an impeachment vote could spark a political backlash, and the Constitutional Court may not even reach a final decision before Chief Justice Cho's retirement in June next year.

(Video by Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Nam Il | Graphics by Jegal Chan)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.