Democratic Party leader Minseok Kim criticized Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's written recommendation controversy today (the 24th), stating, "The current situation is cowardly, with the Chief Justice resorting to tactics, the National Court Administration minister defending it, and the judiciary maintaining silence."

Making the remarks during a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Kim emphasized, "I urge the judiciary to deeply reflect on itself."

"Analyses suggest that Chief Justice Cho's scheme is to have the government reject a unilateral plan pursued without consultation with the president, thereby neutralizing the Supreme Court Justice Recommendation Committee itself," he pointed out, adding, "If true, it is an empty plot."

He continued, "The government should withhold sending it to the National Assembly or making a rejection decision, and the National Assembly should consider blocking these tactics by revising the legal loophole under Article 41-2 of the Court Organization Act, which requires forming a new recommending body every time Supreme Court justices are recommended," urging, "I ask the party floor to review this."

At the same time, he urged, "Preventing public disappointment and criticism of the judiciary from exploding is entirely up to the judges," adding, "I hope you will take the prosecution, which turned a blind eye to self-reform, as a negative example."

Furthermore, he remarked, "The Chief Justice and the head of the National Court Administration are water that will flow away regardless," and added, "The public is watching the judiciary as a whole."

Regarding real estate measures and tax system revisions, Kim stated, "We will pursue housing policies that meet public expectations through swift supply, stabilization of the lease market, and rational tax improvements."

He added, "The utilization of the U.S. military base site for Yongsan Park will proceed based on civic consensus, and to vitalize redevelopment and reconstruction, we will cooperate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and expedite necessary legislation," and noted, "We expect Seoul to move beyond just talking about speed and cooperate by sharing authority with district offices for swift and smooth redevelopment and reconstruction."
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)