Presidential Office "Agree on the need to consider the reasons behind the calls for the Supreme Court Chief Justice's resignation"

"The National Assembly is the highest elected power… It must consider if there are generational and public demands."

Towards the Judiciary: "We must watch the legislative branch's discussions… The government will have no choice but to respect the National Assembly's decision."

After analyses emerged stating agreement with the call for the Supreme Court Chief Justice's resignation, a briefing was held again: "Misinterpretation and false reporting."

Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung briefing on the strategic meeting for rationalizing core regulations (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Do-hoon = Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung is briefing on the strategic meeting for rationalizing core regulations to be held this afternoon at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 15th.

The strategic meeting for rationalizing core regulations is a newly established joint government-private meeting platform to boldly resolve regulations that hinder the development of new industries. The first meeting, to be held this afternoon, will discuss core regulations hindering job creation for young people and the growth of new industries. 2025.9.15 superdoo82@yna.co.kr

The Presidential Office stated that regarding Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's resignation publicly demanded by Rep. Choo Mi-ae, Chairperson of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, "we fundamentally agree that if there are generational and public demands, it is necessary to reflect on the plausibility and reasons for those demands as an 'appointed authority.'"

When asked about the Presidential Office's stance on Rep. Choo's remarks during a briefing this morning, Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said, "There is no specific stance," but added, "The National Assembly reflects the spirit of the Constitution and the will of the people through deliberation and discussion. It is the most prioritized elected power of the people."

This is interpreted to mean that if such demands come from the National Assembly, the "elected power" representing the people, then it is first and foremost for the judiciary, the "appointed power," to calmly consider the reasons.

Rep. Choo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, had previously written on Facebook, "Why do you claim judicial independence with such audacity under the most democratic administration, after remaining silent during the era of prosecutorial dictatorship?" and "For judicial independence, you must resign first."

However, as analyses emerged that the Presidential Office had expressed agreement with the call for the Supreme Court Chief Justice's resignation based on Spokesperson Kang's briefing, Kang held another briefing to re-explain her remarks.

Kang emphasized, "The expression 'fundamental agreement' was about the respect for the separation of powers and elected power," and stated, "The answer to the question was that there are no specific opinions yet (on the call for the Supreme Court Chief Justice's resignation)."

She added, "It is a misinterpretation and false reporting to say that we fundamentally agree on this matter (the call for the Supreme Court Chief Justice's resignation)," and commented, "It is as if a part was taken out of context, excluding the preceding and succeeding parts of the statement."

Regarding the recent calls for "caution" on judicial reform initiated by the ruling party from Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho and the National Conference of Court Chief Judges, Kang stated, "An appointed authority, appointed through indirect appointment rights, needs to sufficiently observe the discussions of the legislative branch (the elected power)." She added, "Rather than immediately doubting the legislative branch's ability to self-regulate and internally deliberate, it is necessary to observe and consider slowly."

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae delivering an commemorative address (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Hae-in = Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae is delivering an commemorative address at the '2025 Korea Court Day Commemorative Ceremony' held at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 12th. 2025.9.12 hihong@yna.co.kr

Regarding the establishment of a so-called 'sedition trial court,' she said, "Even if legislation or a separate body is deemed necessary for the swift resolution of sedition incidents, that is also something the National Assembly must deliberate and decide upon, and the government will have no choice but to respect the final decision." Yonhap News