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Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), delivers remarks during a party leadership meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on October 22. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), on Tuesday publicly called on Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign, arguing that stepping down is the only way to restore public trust in the judiciary following allegations of election interference.

“The honorable course of action for Chief Justice Cho is to make a decision on his own position, as urged by sitting judges,” Jung said during a party leadership meeting at the National Assembly. “That is the only way left for him to preserve the dignity of his fellow judges.”

The DPK’s unprecedented demand for the chief justice’s resignation stems from Cho’s handling of President Lee Jae-myung’s election law violation case. As presiding justice, Cho led the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned the lower court’s acquittal of then-presidential candidate Lee, just 36 days after the appellate verdict. The Democratic Party has alleged procedural irregularities in the review process, claiming that Cho failed to thoroughly examine the case records and met with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo during the decision period — actions they say amount to interference in the presidential race.

During the same meeting, DPK officials highlighted statements from several senior judges who voiced concern over the ruling, saying their opinions reflect growing unease within the judiciary.

“Some judges have betrayed the public’s trust, damaging both the integrity and independence of the courts,” Jung said. “Chief Justice Cho has lost his moral authority to lead the judiciary. No mountain stands higher than the sky, and no institution stands above the Constitution. He should heed the call of conscientious judges and step down.”

Lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) condemned Jung’s remarks, holding an emergency forum titled “Judicial Independence Under Threat” at the National Assembly. PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk warned that “Democratic overreach into the judiciary is going too far,” adding, “Venezuela fell into dictatorship, and Nazi rule became possible, because both regimes seized control of their courts. When elected power seeks to place itself above the judiciary, democracy turns into dictatorship.”

Meanwhile, the DPK clarified that it has not yet considered filing an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Cho. Party officials said the suggestion remains “a pressure tactic, not an immediate plan.”