"Let the chief justice leave first." "Come back after you've done your homework."
The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's parliamentary audit of government agencies descended into shouting and heated exchanges from the outset on the 6th. Lawmakers clashed head-on over whether Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de should take the witness oath and whether he should be allowed to leave, and the shouting and protests continued even after questioning began, leaving the hearing room in turmoil all day. At one point a lawmaker invoked "Owl Rock," an allusion to the death of late President Roh Moo-hyun, drawing winces from the room.
Jo appeared at the hearing in the morning and rose to shake hands when Rep. Park Jie-won of the Democratic Party of Korea said, "The chief justice has finally joined us, so let's exchange greetings." The cordial mood did not last.
The confrontation escalated when Noh Kyung-pil, head of the National Court Administration, stepped forward to take the witness oath. Lawmakers from the People Power Party objected, saying, "Why are you making procedural remarks before the chief justice has even left?" and "Look at the precedent. Allow him to leave."
By custom, the chief justice delivers opening remarks at the audit and then departs. But the committee, led by the Democratic Party, had designated Jo as a general witness, so he remained in his seat. Jo said he could not take the oath or testify, citing the separation of powers and judicial independence. "This audit is also demanding testimony on the nomination of Supreme Court justices, which makes it difficult for me to comply," he said.
A dispute also broke out over whether the parties' floor negotiators had consulted each other. When Chair Seo told Rep. Park Hyung-soo, the People Power Party's committee liaison, "Didn't I call you several times?" Park shot back, "Why would I take a call from a voice I don't want to hear?" When People Power Party members protested that the matter had been "handled behind closed doors," Seo countered, "What closed doors? Wasn't his attendance approved by a vote as a general witness?"
The exchanges continued after Jo declined to take the oath. Rep. Kim Tae-gyu said, "Do as you please. One-party dictatorship," and shouted, "Step down, dictatorship." Seo replied, "Why are you being so rude? These are arrogant and violent remarks."
The clash over Jo's departure persisted after the agency briefing began. When Seo remarked that the issue was "drawing a lot of attention and is hot right now," Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party protested, "What do you mean 'hot' after you've wrecked judicial independence?" Seo responded, "Come back after you've done your homework. I've studied very hard because of all of you." When Rep. Kim Min-jeon of the People Power Party demanded an apology for the word "hot," Seo retorted, "What is there to apologize for?"
The confrontation intensified as Democratic Party lawmakers began questioning Jo directly. When Rep. Park Kyoun-taek of the Democratic Party put a question to Jo, People Power Party members shouted in succession, "Why are you questioning the chief justice?" "Do not answer," and "Direct your questions to the head of the court administration." As the shouting went on, Park Hyung-soo yelled, "Have me removed along with the chief justice." When Seo said, "Why is it humiliating to ask and answer questions at a parliamentary audit?" voices from the People Power Party called out, "Then tell President Lee Jae-myung to come too."
The clash peaked during questioning by Rep. Son Sol of the Progressive Party. When Son asked Jo, "Are you dreaming of becoming a second Yoon Suk-yeol?" Jo pushed back, saying, "That kind of remark is insulting." As harsh words flew between the parties over Son's questioning, Kim Tae-gyu of the People Power Party said to Rep. Kim Yong-min of the Democratic Party, "Did you get scraped on Owl Rock?" Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo called Kim's remark "something that cannot even be put into words" and suspended his speaking rights.
The room grew unruly again when Rep. Lee Sung-yoon of the Democratic Party raised the issue of Jo's use of his official expense account. Lee said the account had been charged for expensive meals and wine, and pressed for details on the spending. Jo said he does not "drink a single drop of alcohol" and explained that a staff member manages the card, so he had not been aware of the specific transactions.
As Jo explained the purpose of the spending, saying the idea was to meet people occasionally and in exchange eat food they would not otherwise have a chance to try, Lee objected, "You should not put it that way. Ordinary people can hardly afford beef even once."
Jo said, "I learned only this time that in some cases the amounts went over the limit." He added, "The court administration will correct this so it does not happen again. I apologize to the public."
The morning session recessed at around 12:40 p.m., but the exchanges spilled out of the hearing room. Outside the committee chair's office, Kim protested vigorously to Seo, saying, "Rep. Park Eun-jung was the first to say someone was 'not human,' so why are my speaking rights the only ones suspended?" Son countered, "Weren't you the one who brought up Owl Rock first? Stop harassing the chair." When Seo said, "There has to be some decorum," Kim raised his voice and said, "They were the ones who started with the insults." Seo warned, "If you come back in, I may have you removed."
