Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the Progressive Party on the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee announced that they will hold Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae accountable for "neglect of duty regarding the delayed trials of defendants involved in insurrection and state-run scandals."

Chairperson Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party and lawmakers from the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the Progressive Party issued a joint statement today, stating, "The Supreme Court has referred the trials of Han Duck-soo and Lee Sang-min, who participated in and aided the illegal emergency martial law, as well as defendant Kim Keon-hee, who committed state-run scandals, to the full bench."

The pan-ruling bloc judiciary committee members explained, "The provision in the special counsel act mandating a final ruling within three months of appeal contains the public's mandate to minimize national chaos and swiftly restore the constitutional order."

They went on to demand that Chief Justice Cho "clearly present to the public and the National Assembly the specific review dates and final sentencing timelines of the full bench for the insurrection and state scandal defendants."

They added, "There is widespread public concern that defendants will be released due to delays in Supreme Court proceedings," demanding that "the Supreme Court clearly promise to deliver rulings on final appeals before the release deadlines."

They also criticized Chief Justice Cho, stating, "Chief Justice Cho has neglected his constitutional duty to recommend Supreme Court justices for months," and adding, "The judiciary's neglect of duty in abandoning Supreme Court vacancies itself demonstrates that it no longer has the qualification to speak of judicial independence."

"The recommendation of Supreme Court justices is not a right of the Chief Justice, but a constitutional obligation," they said, urging, "If you do not want to shame yourselves before the public, recommend the Supreme Court justices even now."

They emphasized, "Chief Justice Cho's 'responsibility' will result in the first-ever impeachment of a Chief Justice in the history of the Republic of Korea and punishment for judicial distortion," adding, "The public's patience has reached its limit. Further judicial reform is the only answer."

(Photo: Yonhap News)