Democratic Party pushes chief justice probe and special counsel bill amid housing crisis

The Democratic Party has formally set out to launch a parliamentary investigation into Chief Justice Jo Hee-de and to pass a special counsel bill targeting what it calls fabricated prosecutions, according to spokesperson Park Sung-joon. The initiative comes after the National Assembly’s annual audit and follows the acquittal of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in a political-funding case linked to opinion-poll broker Myung Tae-kyun.

Party floor leaders are reviewing procedures to revive impeachment efforts against Jo, while also advancing legislation that would examine alleged false charges involving President Lee Jae Myung. Potential justice-minister candidates Park Kyoon-taek and Yang Bu-nam, both known for defending Lee in the Daejang-dong development scandal, are being considered, prompting questions about the ministry’s neutrality. Meanwhile, public discontent grows over the administration’s failure to address soaring jeonse and monthly rents, high prices, and interest rates that strain renters, small businesses, and the self-employed. Observers warn that the DP’s focus on shielding the president from legal trouble could further erode confidence in government and the rule of law.