[Summary] "No Political Consideration" Kim Myung-soo's Explanation... Opposition's Fierce Attack Calling It a "Shameless Excuse"

Chief Justice Kim "Decision on Acceptance of Resignation Based on Various Circumstances"
"Destruction of Korean Constitution Spirit," "Already Lost Public Trust," Sharp Criticism from Opposition

Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo is arriving at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 19th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Amid the so-called 'false explanation' controversy, Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo of the Supreme Court firmly stated that he would not resign, saying he would "fulfill his constitutional mission." Meanwhile, opposition parties criticized this as merely an excuse to cover up mistakes.

According to multiple media reports on the 19th, Chief Justice Kim conveyed through the court's internal network 'CourtNet' that "It is regrettable and deeply saddening as the Chief Justice that a sitting judge has been impeached," and expressed his "apologies to the public."

Earlier, on the 4th, Busan High Court Chief Judge Lim Seong-geun released a transcript of a conversation with Chief Justice Kim from May last year through a media outlet, sparking the false explanation controversy. According to the transcript, when Chief Judge Lim submitted his resignation, Chief Justice Kim reportedly said, "I have to consider the political situation."

In response, Chief Justice Kim emphasized, "The decision on whether to accept the judge's resignation was made after considering various circumstances, including relevant legal provisions," and clearly stated, "There was no political consideration as some have claimed."

Regarding calls for his resignation from some quarters, he firmly declared, "I will continue to fulfill the constitutional mission entrusted to me to complete judicial reform for better trials without losing my initial resolve," indicating he will not step down.

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is holding a one-person protest on the morning of the 5th of last month in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, urging Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo to resign. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, opposition parties criticized Chief Justice Kim's explanation as nothing more than an excuse.

Yoon Hee-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a verbal statement that day, "Chief Justice Kim's belated statement is a shameful excuse to somehow cover up a tremendous mistake," and urged his resignation, saying, "The last dedication to regain public trust is to step down from that position."

He strongly criticized, "'Careless answers' went far beyond causing 'great disappointment and concern' to the people and destroyed the spirit of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which is based on checks and balances."

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province / Photo by Yonhap News

Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong also posted on his Facebook that day, saying, "I expected at least a sincere apology, if not a resignation."

Governor Won said, "Chief Justice Kim offered 'deep apologies' but only excused his lies as 'my careless answers.'"

He added, "Chief Justice Kim not only watches the ruling party's stance but also removes judges who make rulings unfavorable to the ruling party and places judges who make favorable rulings in key positions," and said, "Judicial reform is not progressing. To overcome the abuses of personnel authority concentrated in the Chief Justice, he has nullified the court president candidate recommendation system that he introduced."

He continued, "Chief Justice Kim has lost trust from the public, frontline judges, and court officials," and emphasized, "For Chief Justice Kim, who has mocked the constitutional spirit of the separation of powers, the only way to 'fulfill the constitutional mission entrusted to him' is to step down."

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