Jeong Cheongrae: "We Ousted All Unjust Presidents... Why Make Such a Fuss Over the Chief Justice?"

Criticism of Opposition Over Cho Heedae's Confirmation Hearing
Jeong: "Conservative Presidents Are the Real Culprits Behind the Death of Separation of Powers"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized the conservative bloc for referring to the death of the separation of powers in relation to the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s hearing for Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae on the 24th, calling it a “comedy of history.”

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on this day, Jeong stated, “The People Power Party and certain media outlets describing the ‘Cho Heedae hearing’ as the death of the separation of powers is a comedy of history.”

Previously, on September 22, the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, chaired by Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae, held a plenary session and adopted a plan to hold an “urgent hearing on allegations of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae’s involvement in the presidential election.” Hardliners in the ruling party have stated that if Chief Justice Cho fails to attend the hearing scheduled for September 30, they may even pursue impeachment. Although the decision to hold the hearing was made without prior consultation with the party leadership, Jeong Cheongrae effectively expressed his support for it.

Jeong further stated, “The very people responsible for violating the Constitution and killing the separation of powers are Syngman Rhee, Chun Doohwan, Roh Taewoo, Lee Myungbak, Park Geunhye, and Yoon Sukyeol-all presidents produced by the People Power Party. They should be ashamed; how dare they talk about the separation of powers?” He continued, “Our people have ousted all unjust presidents who violated the Constitution, undermined the separation of powers, engaged in corruption and abuse of power, or caused rebellion. Why all this fuss over the Supreme Court Chief Justice?”

He also emphasized, “I hope Chair Choo Mi-ae and the members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee will continue to work diligently. I urge Chief Justice Cho and the other witnesses to attend the hearing at the National Assembly and cooperate with the exercise of legislative authority. That is what it means to uphold the spirit of the separation of powers.”

Kim Byungki, the floor leader, also joined in pressuring the judiciary. Referring to former President Yoon Sukyeol’s refusal to comply with the special prosecutor’s summons the previous day, as well as his refusal to respond to 14 separate investigation summons and his request for bail, Kim said, “The judiciary must recognize Yoon Sukyeol’s shameless behavior. The responsibility also lies with the bench. The Ji Guyoun panel’s delay in trial proceedings, to the point of neglecting their duties, has only emboldened Yoon Sukyeol.”

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. September 24, 2025 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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