Im Seong-geun Judge's Impeachment Proposal over 'Judicial Farming' to Be Submitted by Ruling Party Tomorrow: "Effectively Party Line"

Passed quorum exceeded with co-sponsors only

Lee Tan-hee, member of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), Kang Min-jung, floor leader of the Open Democratic Party (left), and Yong Hye-in, member of the Basic Income Party, are proposing the 'Judicial Scandal Judge Impeachment' at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The impeachment motion against Im Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court involved in the 'judicial farming scandal,' is expected to soon proceed through the National Assembly's processing procedures.

According to the Democratic Party on the 31st, lawmaker Lee Tan-hee, a former judge, plans to officially propose the impeachment motion against Chief Judge Im Seong-geun on February 1, the first day of the extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

Since the majority of Democratic Party lawmakers support it, the motion is effectively a 'party-line proposal,' and barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is expected to be passed in the plenary session. Once the impeachment motion is proposed, the Speaker of the National Assembly must report it at the first plenary session, and a secret ballot vote must be held between 24 and 72 hours thereafter.

This motion is co-sponsored not only by party leader Lee Nak-yeon and other leadership members but also by lawmakers from the Justice Party and the Open Democratic Party, among other pro-government parties. It is reported that the number of co-sponsors alone has exceeded the required quorum for passage (a majority of the total members, 151), so unless unexpected events occur, the impeachment motion is expected to be processed.

The Democratic Party has repeatedly emphasized that the first trial court in the judicial farming scandal ruled multiple times that Chief Judge Im committed 'unconstitutional acts,' highlighting that "impeaching a judge who committed anti-constitutional acts is both a right and a duty granted to the National Assembly by the Constitution."

Lawyer-turned-lawmaker Lee Su-jin stated on the day regarding Chief Judge Im, "He attempted to trade rulings related to the Sewol ferry disaster. It was a political bargain," emphasizing, "Impeaching a judge is not about disciplining the judiciary. It is about returning the judiciary to the people." Lawmaker Yoo Jeong-joo also shared a post discussing the necessity of impeaching the judge, stating, "We will do what the legislative body must do, not engage in political strife."

It has been reported that some Democratic Party lawmakers who still oppose or advocate caution regarding the impeachment are receiving a flood of 'text bomb' messages from hardline supporters.

Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "This is effectively an impeachment based on party consensus," adding, "In other words, it means that judges' conduct and rulings will inevitably become more cautious (to suit the regime's tastes)." Spokesperson Bae further stated, "It has become even clearer that this is an attempt to intimidate judges who issue rulings contrary to the regime's wishes."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.