Ruling party to pursue parliamentary investigation before impeaching Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae ... aims to process investigation request on the 5th of next month

[Financial News] The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed on the 27th to pursue a parliamentary investigation to uncover various allegations involving Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. Although calls to pursue his impeachment had initially also emerged within the DPK, the party appears to be adopting a “low-key” strategy, announcing that it would prioritize an investigation, seemingly out of concern about a backlash.
Floor spokesperson Jeon Eun-su told reporters after a caucus meeting at the National Assembly that day, “There was a consensus that, regarding future measures concerning Chief Justice Cho, we should first conduct a parliamentary investigation. So we decided to proceed with one.”
Jeon also said the goal was to have the request needed to conduct the investigation into Chief Justice Cho dealt with at a plenary session on November 5.
Jeon also explained the allegations the DPK seeks to clarify through the investigation into Chief Justice Cho. They include the controversy over a refusal to renominate a Supreme Court justice, whether there was a refusal to take an oath and perjury during a National Assembly audit, and allegations of improper spending of operational expenses.
Jeon also dismissed the Rebuilding Korea Party’s argument that “impeachment is necessary instead of a parliamentary investigation concerning Chief Justice Cho,” saying, “The point is to use a parliamentary investigation to clarify what needs to be clarified.” Jeon added, “Filing an impeachment motion is important, but shouldn’t we also consider everything, including whether it would be upheld later?”
Jeon also said there had been no further discussion of impeaching Chief Justice Cho at that day’s caucus meeting. Political observers say the DPK is seeking to build public sentiment critical of the judiciary through a parliamentary investigation while minimizing the risk of a backlash, rather than repeatedly pressuring the judiciary under Cho Hee-dae with impeachment, a powerful measure.
Meanwhile, after views were exchanged at the caucus meeting that day on whether to further delay taxation of virtual assets, the initial direction appeared to be toward another postponement. The ruling party and the government are expected to hold talks on the 28th to further delay virtual asset taxation and begin final coordination of their positions.
A lawmaker who attended the caucus meeting told Financial News by phone, “We’re not fully prepared yet [for virtual asset taxation]. It seems we need to first establish things like the General Act on Digital Assets.” The lawmaker added, “Looking at the tax provisions, there are some legislative gaps, and there are also shortcomings in the infrastructure for administering the tax.”
The lawmaker emphasized, “Although it is said that we are in a position to do it right away, we need to anticipate, block and prevent the various risks that could arise from it. If we start without doing that, many problems could arise.” The lawmaker added, “We need to be more fully prepared and review the tax system in advance, including checking for any shortcomings.”
[email protected] Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter