Ahn Cheol-soo "Judges' Impeachment Must Be Withdrawn... Chief Justice Voluntarily Becomes Slave to Power"

"The Black Ghost of Totalitarianism Looms"
"Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Branches All in Ruin"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, on the 4th demanded the suspension of the impeachment procedure against judges being pushed by lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea. Referring to the claim that Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo did not accept the resignation of Chief Judge Lim Seong-geun, he criticized, "The judiciary itself has volunteered to become a slave to power."

At the People’s Party Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Ahn said, "Since the launch of the Moon Jae-in administration, the first place where injustice and corruption prevailed was the core of power and the executive branch. This virus of injustice and corruption turned the legislature into zombies that follow the Blue House’s orders," adding, "Now this virus is threatening even the judiciary, the last bastion of the rule of law."

He introduced media reports that Chief Justice Kim rejected Chief Judge Lim’s resignation citing impeachment procedures, saying, "My expectation that the judiciary would be different and my belief that the Chief Justice would prioritize the court’s neutrality and independence disappeared in an instant upon hearing this." He continued, "The virus of ideology and partisan interests that started at the core of power has now spread to the courts, bringing the three branches of Korea’s government?the legislature, judiciary, and executive?to the brink of collapse."

Ahn criticized, "If it is true that Chief Justice Kim did not accept Judge Lim’s resignation with the impeachment push by the ruling party in mind, this is like offering a junior’s neck as a bribe to power." He raised his voice, saying, "Now even the Chief Justice is making our judiciary a servant of power worse than a mere handmaiden. In the process of seizing all three branches in the grip of power and scheming for 30 years of long-term Democratic Party rule, democracy, the rule of law, and parliamentary democracy are suffocating, and the dark ghost of totalitarianism is looming."

Regarding the impeachment motion against Chief Judge Lim scheduled for that afternoon, he argued, "The impeachment of judges that intimidates the majority of judges who rule according to law and conscience must be withdrawn immediately." He then appealed to the judiciary, saying, "The court belongs not to the powerful nor to the Chief Justice personally, but to all the people who believe in the fairness of the law and the sanctity of the rule of law. Please do not forget the sanctity of the judicial office granted by the Constitution and the people, and remain a court that serves only the people and stands proud before the law and conscience."

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