Chung made the remarks at the party's supreme council meeting at the National Assembly on the 31st, saying, "The Democratic Party is threatening that it will take the 'next step' if Chief Justice Jo does not attend the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's questioning on pending issues." The committee, led by the Democratic Party and other ruling-bloc lawmakers, is holding an emergency session at 2 p.m. that day to summon Jo. Jo, however, has submitted a statement of reasons for non-attendance, signaling he will not appear.
"All political and legal responsibility for the current situation will fall on the Democratic Party," Chung said. "I hope they also keep in mind that the president's refusal to nominate is itself grounds for impeachment." He added, "The reason the entire country is in turmoil over the appointment of Supreme Court justices is precisely the president. He wants to tame the judiciary and appoint all 22 Supreme Court justices at will during his term. Ultimately, it is to pick the judges for his own trials after he leaves office."
Turning to Jo, whose father's death was reported that day, Chung said, "I offer my condolences and pray for the repose of the deceased," adding, "The president and the Democratic Party will continue their reckless drive, but I hope the chief justice will steel himself and overcome it, fully carry out his role, and protect judicial independence and the separation of powers." He also urged, "The judiciary must resume the president's trials. Only by swiftly resuming the trials and reaching a conclusion can the judiciary prevent its own capture."
Chung also criticized the government's mid-sized cabinet reshuffle carried out the previous day, saying, "President Lee has concluded that he will entirely reject the reform of state affairs that the public demands." He called it a "substandard leftist coalition reshuffle aimed at reviving approval ratings and saving Lee Jae-myung rather than reviving the livelihood economy." He added, "There is every sign of an intent to rally the left by dividing people along camp, generation and gender lines, as the Moon Jae-in administration did, and to use that force to push for the cancellation of his own trials." He said, "The People Power Party will thoroughly and rigorously vet the minister nominees through confirmation hearings."
