Presidential office draws line from calls for chief justice to step down
Woo Sang-ho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, heads to a meeting with senior members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea at the National Assembly in Seoul, Sept. 1. Yonhap
The presidential office on Tuesday distanced itself from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) calls for Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign, saying it has not been involved in related discussions.
Woo Sang-ho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, clarified the stance amid growing calls within the ruling bloc for Cho to step down.
The presidential office "has never discussed nor does it have any plans to discuss the future course of action of the chief justice," Woo told reporters.
His remarks came after presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Monday the office "agrees in principle" that appointed authorities should reflect on public demand — a comment interpreted as a veiled call for the judiciary to reflect on the ruling party's demands.
DPK leader Jung Chung-rae and other party lawmakers have urged Cho to resign, accusing him of shielding figures implicated in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law attempt by delaying their trials, sparking criticism from opposition lawmakers that it undermines the principle of judicial independence.
A senior presidential official stressed that while the office acknowledges the need for judicial reform in response to public concerns over recent rulings and trials, it remains cautious, saying "the presidential office does not closely intervene in matters being discussed in the legislature."