Rebuilding Korea Party calls for joint TF with Democratic Party to impeach chief justice; floor leaders to meet Wednesday

The Rebuilding Korea Party on Tuesday urged the Democratic Party of Korea to form a joint task force to pursue the impeachment of Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae, as the two parties' floor leaders are set to meet Wednesday to discuss the matter. The Democratic Party has remained cautious, wary of a political backlash if the effort fails.

Rebuilding Korea Party leader Shin Jang-sik held a press conference at the National Assembly's media center, calling on opposition parties to establish a joint TF to pursue Chief Justice Jo's impeachment. "I also propose that five parties hold a joint plenary session," Shin said.

Shin drew a sharp parallel between former President Yoon Suk Yeol and the chief justice. "If Yoon Suk Yeol attempted a loyalist coup, Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae is carrying out a judicial coup," he said. "If the National Assembly, directly chosen by the people, does not follow the will of the people, that is dereliction of duty and an abdication of responsibility."

The party designated Kim Hyeong-yeon — a former judge, Constitutional Court researcher and minister of government legislation — as the lawmaker in charge of the impeachment drive. Shin urged other parties to do the same. "Let other parties also designate their own lawmakers so we can put our heads together starting today," he said. "Floor leaders must begin consultations immediately."

Shin set the end of this month as the target deadline for a vote on the impeachment motion, citing the approaching expiration of Kim Keon Hee's detention. "If nothing is done, Kim Keon Hee's detention will expire Oct. 31 and she will be released," he said. "Before that happens, a single-agenda plenary session must be convened to vote on the impeachment motion." He also urged National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik and the Democratic Party to make a bold decision.

On concerns that a rejection by the Constitutional Court could trigger a political backlash, Shin said he believed the chances of the motion being upheld were "very high." "Rather than worrying about a backlash, it is the duty of Assembly members to first answer how judicial justice will be restored and what the people are demanding," he said.

The Rebuilding Korea Party has now pressed the Democratic Party for two consecutive days after unveiling its impeachment motion against Chief Justice Jo on Monday. With the Democratic Party maintaining a cautious stance, the smaller party is pushing to accelerate discussions by calling for a coordinated response across the broader opposition bloc.

The two parties are set to continue talks at a floor leaders' meeting Wednesday. Park Byeong-eon, the Rebuilding Korea Party's senior spokesperson, told reporters after the press conference that a meeting between the party's floor leader Kim Jun-hyeong and Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do had been confirmed for Wednesday morning. The talks are expected to cover the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Jo as well as the formation of a joint TF and other areas of cooperation.