"No Physical Altercations or Harsh Words": Jeong Cheongrae Urges Calm Response from Judiciary Committee

Jeong Cheongrae Urges Restraint at Supreme Court Inspection
However, Continues Criticism of Judiciary in Public Remarks

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, drew attention by urging the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which conducted an on-site audit at the Supreme Court on October 15, 2025, to respond calmly. However, Jeong publicly criticized the court regarding the dismissal of the arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Park Seongjae.

Park Suhyeon, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, met with reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that day and said, "Regarding today's on-site visit to the Supreme Court, Leader Jeong stated in a prior Supreme Council meeting, 'There is no need to make the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's on-site audit disorderly.' He added, 'There should be no physical altercations or harsh words. The public is watching not the remarks of lawmakers, but the answers and attitude of Chief Justice Cho Heedae.'"

This was an unusual comment from Leader Jeong, who has previously led criticism against Chief Justice Cho and the judiciary.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on October 13, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Chief spokesperson Park also said, "I believe the public is paying attention to Chief Justice Cho's answers and his attitude toward the people. If he does not answer, the public will judge that attitude accordingly." Regarding the possibility of issuing an order to compel attendance, he explained, "If such an order is issued, it will likely be minimized by directing it not at Chief Justice Cho or Supreme Court justices, but rather at those in administrative positions such as judicial researchers who bear administrative responsibility."

However, Leader Jeong continued his offensive against Chief Justice Cho and the judiciary in his public remarks at the Supreme Council meeting that day. He stated, "At the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the cowardly and arrogant silence of Chief Justice Cho, who ignored the people, has provoked public anger." In particular, regarding the dismissal of the arrest warrant for former Minister Park, he said, "We must swiftly conduct investigations and arrests of those who not only failed to oppose insurrection but also abetted and participated in it. Tragically, following the dismissal of the warrant for Han Deoksoo, the arrest of former Justice Minister Park was also denied yesterday." He went on to ask, "Is the court defending insurrection? Or is this the court's retaliation against efforts to eradicate insurrection?" He then demanded, "Chief Justice Cho, please answer whether this will enhance the independence and trust of the judiciary."