Deputy Chief Judge Lim's Recorded Transcript Released... Ruling Party Forces Vote

Demand for Accountability of the Chief Justice by the Opposition Party

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Jo Seong-pil] Lim Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court, released a recorded file on the 4th of a conversation he had with Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo of the Supreme Court when he submitted his resignation last year. The recording contains content in which Chief Justice Kim refuses to accept Judge Lim’s resignation, being conscious of the ruling party’s impeachment movement against judges involved in the ‘judicial scandal.’ This contradicts the Supreme Court’s explanation that no conversation about impeachment took place, and is expected to cause a stir.

Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su of the Supreme Court is arriving at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 4th, when the vote on the impeachment motion against Im Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court involved in the 'judicial scandal,' is scheduled.
On the same day, the defense team of Chief Judge Im Seong-geun released a transcript containing statements that Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su refused to accept his resignation, keeping impeachment in mind. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the recording released by Judge Lim’s side on that day, during a meeting on May 22, Chief Justice Kim said, "From my perspective, I have to consider various influences and political situations," and "Right now, the ruling party is making a fuss about impeaching, so if I accept the resignation, what do you think the National Assembly will say?" At the time, Judge Lim, who was not in good health, submitted his resignation to the Deputy Chief of the Court Administration Office and then met with Chief Justice Kim.

Judge Lim’s side had already expressed his intention to resign to Chief Justice Kim, but claimed it was rejected due to the possibility of impeachment proceedings. At that time, the Supreme Court explained, "There was no statement to the effect that the resignation could not be accepted because of impeachment issues." If the recording is accurate, the Supreme Court’s explanation turns out to be false. The Supreme Court did not provide any additional explanation until the morning of that day. There is also controversy over Chief Justice Kim’s own false statement. Lawmakers Kim Do-eup and Yoo Sang-beom of the People Power Party requested a written response regarding this controversy, and at that time, Chief Justice Kim also answered that he did not make any remarks linking impeachment issues with the acceptance of the resignation.

The opposition parties immediately demanded not only the withdrawal of the impeachment but also accountability from Chief Justice Kim. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the emergency committee meeting that day, "It has been revealed that the resignation was not accepted for nearly a year to expose Chief Judge Lim to impeachment," and criticized, "I hope (Chief Justice Kim) decides his own position without leaving a disgraceful name in judicial history." Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, also said at the supreme council meeting, "He sacrificed his junior’s neck as a bribe to power."

Despite the opposition’s backlash, the Democratic Party expressed its intention to push forward with the impeachment vote against Chief Judge Lim at the plenary session scheduled for that afternoon. Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "The Democratic Party will fulfill the responsibility entrusted to the National Assembly by the Constitution through the impeachment vote against Judge Lim Seong-geun, who violated the Constitution." Since 161 lawmakers have already participated in the impeachment proposal, the conditions required for approval have been met.

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