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Kim Byung-ki, floor leader of the Democratic Party (first from left), speaks during a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on September 18. / Source: Song Ui-joo

South Korea’s political parties clashed Thursday over allegations that Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae conspired to influence a past presidential election, with the ruling bloc ramping up calls for accountability while the opposition accused them of destabilizing the judiciary.

Leaders of the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party launched an offensive against Cho, describing his explanations as excuses that signal a “judicial coup.” Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae said at a policy meeting in Gwangju, “If he feels wronged, he should appear before a special counsel, undergo investigation, and prove his innocence.”

Spokesman Park Soo-hyun added on radio that Cho’s claim of not discussing the matter with anyone “should be verified by an investigation,” though he noted impeachment had not yet been formally discussed. Lawmakers from the ruling bloc, including Chun Hyeon-hee and Choo Mi-ae, went further, accusing Cho of fueling distrust in the judiciary and attempting to build a “seditious judicial system.”

Cho Kuk, interim leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said his party already prepared an impeachment motion. “We will build a Supreme Court without Cho Hee-dae and courts without his close aides,” he declared.

The opposition, led by the People Power Party, pushed back. Party chief Jang Dong-hyuk dismissed the allegations as a political fabrication based on rumors and unverifiable recordings. “What really needs to be investigated is this manipulation by rumor mills,” he said. Youth committee head Woo Jae-joon likened the move to past false recordings used to target then-Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon.

Former PPP lawmaker Kim Jong-hyuk said on radio, “If the claims turn out false, Jung Chung-rae and Cho Kuk must retire from politics.” Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok also accused the ruling camp of trying to topple the judiciary chief on the basis of “third-party transcripts” and conspiracy theories.

Still, some within the ruling party urged caution. Democratic lawmaker Kim Nam-hee stressed that judicial reform must be handled carefully through legislative authority, warning that removing a few judges would not resolve systemic problems.