DP: "Impeaching Chief Justice Cho Is the Answer" to Oh Se-hoon's Acquittal ... PPP: "Nonsense"

During the final parliamentary audit of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held today (October 26), the ruling and opposition parties clashed over Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's acquittal in an appellate trial regarding allegations that Myung Tae-kyun paid for his opinion polls.

The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the judiciary and Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae over Mayor Oh's acquittal, while the People Power Party countered by urging the resumption of President Lee Jae-myung's trial first.

Democratic Party Representative Lee Sung-yoon pointed out, "Cho Byung-gap, the corrupt official who squeezed the people's blood and sweat and triggered the Donghak Peasant Revolution, later became a judge at the High Court and sentenced Donghak religious leader Choi Si-hyeong to death," adding, "Many citizens are worried that the situation from 130 years ago might be repeated in Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's court."

Representative Lee said, "Chief Justice Cho claimed that the president's request to recommend Supreme Court justice candidates again was unconstitutional, and (the courts) have recently been granting impunity to the ringleader of insurrection and accomplice forces," adding, "It is a fact that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon received the polling results, so is it over just because the defendant claims he did not know? Impeaching Chief Justice Cho is the only answer."

Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party criticized, "Even though evidence was overflowing, the court acted strangely," asking, "All the evidence was laid out in the first-instance ruling, so does it make sense even for People Power Party members to call this an acquittal?"

In response, People Power Party Representative Kwak Kyu-taek pushed back, saying, "Mayor Oh faithfully underwent trial and received an acquittal," adding, "Shouldn't (the Democratic Party) first complain about 'Why isn't President Lee Jae-myung's case being brought to trial swiftly?'"

Representative Kwak criticized, "(The Democratic Party) began building up toward impeaching Chief Justice Cho from the very start of the parliamentary audit. Even today, they seem to be stoking the fires of impeachment," adding, "Is it sane to claim that grounds for impeaching the Chief Justice have increased just because Mayor Oh was acquitted? They have been spouting senseless and irrational arguments throughout the audit."

The ruling and opposition parties, who have clashed continuously since the parliamentary audit began on October 6, engaged in fierce verbal battles today on its final day as well.

The clash erupted when Representative Kim Min-jeon commented that "key positions at major institutions are all filled with the president's defense attorneys."

Representative Kim displayed material on the audit room monitor titled "Advance of Defense Attorneys Related to Lee Jae-myung's Trials into Major Public Offices."

The document included the text "Managed by Kim Hyun-ji?" and listed the real names of current committee members, Representatives Park Gyun-taek, Kim Ki-pyo, and Kim Dong-ah, under the National Assembly category.

As Democratic Party lawmakers including Representatives Park and Kim Dong-ah protested with shouts such as "Qualify yourself" and "Apologize," Representative Kim Min-jeon's questioning was halted.

Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party demanded that she refrain from questioning on that matter, saying, "It is unacceptable to (refer to) fellow lawmakers sitting right before you like this. There must be courtesy."

To this, People Power Party Representative Joo Jin-woo shouted, "Did you not serve as Lee Jae-myung's defense attorney?" to which Chair Seo retorted, "Would you like me to say, 'Secretary to Yoon Suk Yeol, be quiet'?"

Representative Joo is a former legal secretary in the presidential office under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

As clashes between ruling and opposition lawmakers persisted, Chair Seo declared a suspension of the audit, which was halted for about 25 minutes.

After the audit resumed, Representative Kim Min-jeon continued her questioning, including the contentious material.

Democratic Party Representative Kim Han-kyu challenged, "Is there any evidence that the three Democratic Party lawmakers here were managed by Kim Hyun-ji (chief of the First Annex Office at the presidential office)?" calling it "a tremendous insult to fellow committee members."

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