When is the DPK considering a parliamentary investigation into Cho Hee-dae?

The party is considering launching the probe after the ongoing parliamentary audit ends later in October. The announcement followed a meeting of the DPK supreme council, and spokesperson Cho Gye-won said the investigation would examine specific grounds for impeachment.

What is the disagreement within the DPK over impeaching Cho Hee-dae?

Some lawmakers have urged impeachment, while others question whether it is necessary because Cho’s term ends in June. The Rebuilding Korea Party has urged the DPK to join its effort by delivering a draft impeachment motion.

DPK considering parliamentary probe into Supreme Court chief amid impeachment calls

Q: Why are some DPK lawmakers calling for Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s impeachment?

They object to Cho’s refusal to recommend a new Supreme Court justice candidate as requested by the presidential office and cite allegations of improper use of official funds.

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Summary

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Wednesday it is considering a parliamentary investigation into Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae after the ongoing parliamentary audit ends later this month. The party said the probe would examine possible grounds for impeachment, amid disagreement among lawmakers over whether to pursue his removal. The dispute includes Cho’s refusal to recommend a new Supreme Court justice candidate as requested by the presidential office and allegations of improper use of official funds.

Key Facts

DPK spokesperson Cho Gye-won said the party was considering the investigation after a meeting of its supreme council.
DPK leader Kim Min-seok said Friday that the party had begun discussing options for impeaching Cho.
Some DPK lawmakers have questioned the need for impeachment because Cho’s term ends in June.
The minor Rebuilding Korea Party delivered a draft impeachment motion to the DPK and urged it to join the effort.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 21, 2026 3:51 pm KST

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae arrives for work at the court in southern Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Wednesday it is considering launching a parliamentary investigation into Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae amid an ongoing debate within the party over whether to seek his impeachment.

Following a meeting of the party's supreme council, DPK spokesperson Cho Gye-won told reporters that the party was considering launching such a probe to look into "specific grounds" for impeaching the chief justice after the ongoing parliamentary audit ends later this month.

When asked whether the probe would be aimed at impeaching the chief justice, the lawmaker replied, "It is intended to shed light on the grounds for impeachment ... so it could be seen that way."

The announcement came after DPK leader Kim Min-seok said on Friday that the party has begun discussing various options to impeach Cho.

Some DPK lawmakers have called for Cho's impeachment, taking issue with his refusal to recommend a new candidate for a Supreme Court justice as requested by the presidential office, as well as allegations of improper use of official funds.

Other lawmakers, however, have questioned the need to pursue Cho's impeachment, noting that his term ends in June.

Earlier in the day, the minor Rebuilding Korea Party delivered a draft impeachment motion to the DPK, urging it to join efforts to impeach Cho.

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