Familiar political battle tests Korea’s judicial independence

Korea’s ruling party is intensifying its campaign to oust Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, escalating a political battle over judicial independence in a struggle that, while not new, has taken on a new and dangerous edge. The push to unseat Cho, led by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is fueled by reports that he may have discussed sensitive cases — including one involving President Lee Jae Myung, then the DPK leader — before the June 3 presidential election. The current struggle over the Supreme Court’s leadership is more than a simple partisan dispute. It is a new and dangerous test for Korea’s democratic institutions, as DPK leaders are using the threat of legislative action — an unprecedented move — to remove a sitting chief justice. The campaign signals a new phase in the country’s turbulent politics, where the judiciary is becoming a direct arena for political battle. Cho has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them “completely groundless” and stating publicly that he never discussed ongoing cases with any politicians. “I have never held such conversationWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times