Unprecedented Supreme Court Chief Justice Conversation Recording Released... Opposition Party Likely to Push Counter-Impeachment Against Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su (Comprehensive)

Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo is arriving at the Supreme Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on the morning of the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 4th, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Im Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court, who is accused of improperly interfering in the trial concerning defamation charges against former Sankei Shimbun Seoul Bureau Chief Kato Tatsuya, who wrote an article in 2015 about then-President Park Geun-hye's '7-hour whereabouts during the Sewol ferry disaster.' On the same day, the aftermath of the audio recording of a conversation between Im and Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo, which Im disclosed, is rapidly escalating.

In particular, Chief Justice Kim's explanation the previous day that he "did not say that he could not accept the resignation due to the impeachment issue" was proven false within a day through the audio recording, leading opposition parties to raise voices saying, "The impeachment target should be Chief Justice Kim."

Considering the distribution of seats in the National Assembly, even if an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Kim is actually proposed, it is unlikely to pass. However, the fact that the head of the judiciary, who should serve as a shield protecting judges from political pressure to ensure judicial independence, is being mentioned as a target for impeachment for "catering to political interests" is expected to cause significant damage to both Chief Justice Kim himself and the judiciary as a whole.

People Power Party Launches Impeachment Deal Investigation Team... Also Pursuing Impeachment of Chief Justice Kim

In the opposition, it was revealed through the audio recording that Chief Justice Kim, when Im Seong-geun attempted to resign in May last year for health reasons, mentioned that political circles were discussing impeachment efforts against judges involved in the 'judicial scandal,' seeking understanding for himself considering the political situation. This led to harsh criticism directed at Chief Justice Kim.

On the same day, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said, "If it is true that Chief Justice Kim did not accept Chief Judge Im’s resignation with the impeachment push by the ruling party in mind, this is tantamount to sacrificing a junior to power as a bribe," and criticized, "The judiciary itself has willingly become a slave to power."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at the emergency committee meeting, "I have repeatedly said that Chief Justice Kim should have been impeached long ago, but we were watching out of respect for judicial independence. However, things have gone too far," and added, "Chief Justice Kim should decide his own position and not leave a disgraceful name in judicial history."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min posted on his Facebook titled 'The Chief Justice Who Manipulated the Judiciary Should Resign Immediately,' saying, "The head of the judiciary openly considered political factors, watched the Democratic Party’s moves, and did not accept the resignation of a junior judge who was acquitted in the first trial to impeach him," and "Moreover, the head of the judiciary is even lying to the public," strongly condemning him.

On the same day, the People Power Party launched an 'Impeachment Deal Investigation Team' targeting Chief Justice Kim. The investigation team is led by lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun and composed of members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, including Kim Do-eup, Jang Je-won, Yoo Sang-beom, Kim Woong, and Jeon Ju-hye.

On the morning of the 5th, Team Leader Kim plans to hold a solo protest in front of the Supreme Court building, followed by a visit by all investigation team members to the Supreme Court to conduct the investigation. The solo protests in front of the Supreme Court will continue in relay starting next Monday morning with Floor Leader Joo Ho-young.

Meanwhile, it is reported that despite some opposition from certain members within the People Power Party, a majority support the proposal to initiate impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Kim.

In a media interview, Team Leader Kim said, "I intend to directly ask Chief Justice Kim about the truth behind the lying controversy," and "We are also drafting a separate impeachment motion against Chief Justice Kim."

First Judicial Impeachment in Constitutional History and Chief Justice’s Lies... Courts Engulfed in Shock

The judiciary itself was the most shocked on this day. Not only was it unprecedented in constitutional history that an incumbent judge was impeached, but the fact that the Chief Justice’s official explanation was proven a lie within a day was also difficult to accept.

Many judges lamented the situation where a judge had to secretly record a conversation with the Chief Justice and then disclose the recording to the media.

A chief judge A from the Seoul Central District Court said, "Although the criminal trial resulted in acquittal, and Im had already expressed his intention to resign and given up reappointment, I suspect there is an ulterior motive in pushing for impeachment proceedings," adding, "Since the Constitutional Court is likely to dismiss the case anyway, pushing impeachment suggests other intentions."

Another judge B said, "It is shocking that the Chief Justice, who should exclude all political considerations and judge according to law and conscience, openly said he had to consider the political situation," and pointed out, "In the end, he sacrificed a junior judge out of fear of being criticized himself."

Chief Judge C said, "No matter the circumstances, it is shocking that a judge secretly recorded a conversation with the Chief Justice and disclosed it when he was in a difficult situation," and lamented, "Both Chief Justice Kim, who gave false explanations, and Chief Judge Im, who disclosed the secret recording, have problems."

Meanwhile, the first post with real names related to this incident was also posted on the court’s internal network that afternoon.

Jeong Uk-do, Chief Judge of the Daegu District Court, posted an article titled 'Who is Doing Politics Now?' on the court’s internal network, stating, "According to the media and arguments, the two are portrayed as representing opposing political camps within the judiciary," and "I think this is seriously distorted."

Regarding Chief Judge Im, he said, "In a politically significant matter, there is suspicion of political bias as he attempted to revise the trial to favor the president, who is a major party in the dispute," and "There is clearly a violation of the important constitutional value of judicial independence, and it is necessary to receive constitutional judgment separately from criminal or disciplinary procedures," expressing support for impeachment.

Regarding Chief Justice Kim, he wrote, "Although there is a political tint to the impeachment push, the demand to block it due to actions not provided for in the constitution is an extra-constitutional claim and partisan logic," and suggested that Chief Justice Kim’s rejection of Chief Judge Im’s resignation was inevitable.

However, he criticized Chief Justice Kim’s false explanation episode, saying, "Instead of responding fairly about the reasons for rejecting the resignation, he created an appearance of watching political circles, and especially after the controversy arose, he fueled it with false explanations, which was inappropriate conduct."

Finally, Chief Judge Jeong urged, "Impeachment and criticism are part of the political process and constitutionally guaranteed, but I hope that members of the judiciary do not get caught up in improper external politicization and cause internal strife."

Kim Myung-soo: "Regretful Result of Impeachment Motion Passage"... "Apologizes to Chief Judge Im and the Public"

On the same day, Chief Justice Kim expressed regret to reporters waiting after work about the passage of the impeachment motion against Chief Judge Im. He also apologized to Chief Judge Im and the public regarding the exposure of his false explanation through the audio recording disclosed by Im.

When asked about the recording by Chief Judge Im on his way home, Chief Justice Kim said, "We met nearly nine months ago and had quite a few conversations, so I did not remember clearly," and added, "Whatever the reason, I apologize to Chief Judge Im and everyone who was disappointed."

Chief Justice Kim also said about the passage of the impeachment motion in the National Assembly, "I think it is a regretful result," and "I apologize to the public for causing concern."

However, Chief Justice Kim left without answering reporters’ questions about the criticism that the head of the judiciary was catering to political interests and about his future position.

On the same day, the National Assembly, led by the ruling party, passed the impeachment motion against Chief Judge Im by secret ballot with 179 votes in favor, 102 against, 3 abstentions, and 4 invalid votes, sending it to the Constitutional Court.

Media reports the previous day raised suspicions that Chief Judge Im submitted his resignation in May last year for health reasons and met with Chief Justice Kim, but Chief Justice Kim rejected the resignation, fearing criticism that accepting it would block impeachment discussions in the National Assembly.

Chief Justice Kim denied the suspicion the previous day, saying, "I never said that I could not accept the resignation due to the impeachment issue," but the audio recording disclosed by Chief Judge Im confirmed this was false.

After the audio recording was made public, Chief Justice Kim issued a statement to reporters in the afternoon, saying, "Based on the recorded material released to the media, I recall that during the meeting with Chief Judge Im around May last year, I said that resigning mid-term rather than at the regular personnel appointment time was generally inappropriate," and apologized, "I regret that my previous answer, which relied on unclear memories from about nine months ago, was different."

Meanwhile, Chief Judge Im’s side explained in an additional statement to reporters, "We have already explained that the Chief Justice’s public responses to the media and the National Assembly regarding some reports yesterday were not true," and "However, the public is still curious about the truth, and the controversy continues."

They added, "Despite our explanation regarding the Supreme Court’s statement yesterday, the media is still debating the facts as a 'truth dispute.' Moreover, since some media had already reported the existence of the audio recording, remaining silent any longer would be inappropriate from the public’s right to know and for the public interest, including the judiciary’s future, so we reluctantly decided to disclose the recording," explaining the reason for releasing the audio files.

The four audio recordings disclosed by Chief Judge Im on the same day contain conversations between Chief Judge Im and Chief Justice Kim during their meeting when Im submitted his resignation last year.

According to the recordings, on May 22, Chief Justice Kim said during the meeting with Chief Judge Im, "Putting aside the legal aspects of accepting or submitting a resignation, I have to consider various influences and the political situation," and "The ruling party is making a fuss about impeachment now, so if I accept the resignation, what do you think the National Assembly will say?"

Chief Justice Kim also said, "I do not think the impeachment system is realistic or that it should happen," but added, "However, the political situation is a different matter, so if I accept the resignation to prevent impeachment discussions, it would be criticized."

It can be seen that Chief Justice Kim sought understanding from Chief Judge Im for his position of having to reject the resignation due to awareness of the political discussions about impeachment of judges involved in the judicial scandal.

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