Ruling party decides to seek parliamentary probe into Supreme Court chief amid impeachment calls

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) decided Tuesday to seek a parliamentary investigation into Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, with some party hardliners calling for his impeachment over allegations of political interference. The party aims to pass a motion for the probe at a parliamentary plenary session scheduled for Thursday next week. The allegations include Cho’s handling of President Lee Jae Myung’s election-law case and his refusal to recommend a Supreme Court justice candidate requested by the presidential office.

DPK floor spokesperson Jeon Eun-su announced the decision after a general meeting of the party’s lawmakers.

The Supreme Court overturned a not-guilty verdict in Lee Jae Myung’s election-law case and sent it back to a lower court for retrial shortly before the June 3 presidential election.

The DPK also cited allegations of improper use of official funds by Cho.

The party’s decision came amid criticism within the DPK of an appeals court ruling last week acquitting Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in a political funds case.

Oh is affiliated with the main opposition People Power Party.

Published Oct 27, 2026 4:38 pm KST

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae arrives for work at the court in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Tuesday it has decided to seek a parliamentary investigation into Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, with some hardliners calling for his impeachment over allegations of political interference.

During a general meeting of its lawmakers, the DPK agreed to push for the probe, aiming to pass a related motion at a parliamentary plenary session scheduled for Thursday next week, DPK floor spokesperson Jeon Eun-su told reporters.

The DPK has accused Cho of meddling in last year's presidential election after the Supreme Court overturned a not-guilty verdict in President Lee Jae Myung's election law violation case and sent it back to a lower court for retrial just ahead of the June 3 presidential election.

The party also took issue with Cho's refusal to recommend a new candidate for Supreme Court justice as requested by the presidential office, as well as allegations of improper use of official funds.

The DPK had previously hinted at seeking Cho's impeachment over the allegations but was also considering seeking a parliamentary investigation instead amid concerns about a potential backlash from moderate voters.

The latest decision comes amid growing criticism within the DPK of last week's appeals court decision acquitting Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in a political funds case. Oh is affiliated with the main opposition People Power Party.

韩国民主党周二决定，将对最高法院首席大法官赵熙大展开国会调查。党内一些强硬派人士呼吁弹劾赵熙大，指控其涉嫌政治干预。民主党计划在下周四举行的国会全体会议上通过调查动议。指控包括赵熙大处理李在明总统选举法案件的方式，以及他拒绝推荐总统府指定的最高法院大法官人选。

朝鲜民主主义人民党议会发言人全恩秀在党内议员大会后宣布了这一决定。

在6月3日总统大选前不久，最高法院推翻了李在明选举法案件的无罪判决，并将案件发回下级法院重审。

民主党还指控赵某不当使用公款。

此前，韩国民主进步党（DPK）内部对上周上诉法院判决首尔市长吴世勋在政治资金案中无罪表示批评，随后该党做出了上述决定。

吴某隶属于主要反对党人民力量党。

发布于2026年10月27日下午4:38（韩国标准时间）

韩国最高法院首席大法官赵熙大周二抵达首尔法院上班。（韩联社）

韩国执政党共同民主党（DPK）周二表示，已决定寻求国会调查最高法院首席大法官赵熙大，一些强硬派人士呼吁以政治干预指控为由弹劾他。

朝鲜民主主义人民党（DPK）议员在一次全体会议上同意推动调查，目标是在下周四举行的国会全体会议上通过一项相关动议。DPK发言人全恩秀告诉记者。

去年，最高法院推翻了李在明总统违反选举法案件的无罪判决，并将案件发回下级法院重审，之后，朝鲜民主主义人民党指责赵显龙干预了总统选举。当时距离6月3日总统选举仅剩几天时间。

该党还对赵显龙拒绝按照总统府的要求推荐最高法院大法官新候选人以及不当使用公款的指控表示不满。

民主党此前曾暗示将就这些指控寻求弹劾赵显龙，但由于担心可能遭到温和派选民的强烈反对，也在考虑寻求国会调查。

最新决定出台之际，共同民主党内部对上周上诉法院宣判首尔市长吴世勋政治资金案无罪的裁决批评声日益高涨。吴世勋隶属于主要反对党国民力量党。