At the time of an interview with Supreme Court Chief Kim Myung-soo (right) in May of last year, Judge Im Seong-geun (left), head of the Busan High Court, is fighting a truthful battle over whether or not he said “impeachment.”
Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo completely denied allegations that he had made a remark about “impeachment” to the Busan High Court chief judge Im Seong-geun (17th Judicial Research and Training Institute) who expressed his appreciation in May last year. On the other hand, Deputy Judge Im Seong-geun, the other party, said, “If you accept the resignation, you will not be able to discuss impeachment in the National Assembly, and you could be accused.” The two men are engaged in a truth battle over whether or not to speak of impeachment on their own, raising signs of spreading excommunication.
Kim Myung-soo and Im Seong-geun held the truth of “impeachment remarks” in May last year
Kim “I don’t say that I can’t fix my resignation due to the impeachment problem”
Im “If you repair it, you will be accused of not being able to discuss impeachment in the National Assembly”
Both Kim and Im agree with the fact that the company announced his death in May last year.
According to the JoongAng Ilbo report on the Supreme Court on the 3rd, Judge Lim met Supreme Court Chief Kim on May 22 last year to express his gratitude for health reasons. It is said that this was the reason that he was ahead of surgery to remove kidney stones and tumors that occurred in organs. Chief Justice Kim rejected his appreciation at the time. Up to this point, both sides agree with Supreme Court Chief Kim and Chief Justice Lim.
The question is whether Supreme Court Chief Kim rejected Judge Im’s resignation as a media outlet raised suspicions on that day and said, “If you receive a resignation, you can’t be impeached.” If true, it could lead to political neutrality controversy that Supreme Court President Kim rejected his resignation in consideration of the possibility of impeachment of the former Democratic Party lawmakers at the time.
Chief Justice Kim “I just wanted to think while watching my health status”
Supreme Court Chief Kim said in the JoongAng Ilbo fact-finding and admission request that day, “Supreme Chief Kim had an interview in May 2020 at the request of Deputy Chief Judge Im.” I mostly listened to stories,” he said. He added, “Judge Im did not formally submit a resignation to the Supreme Court at the time.”
Regarding the controversial’impeachment remarks’, “Supreme Chief Kim made a statement with the intent to concentrate on treatment to Judge Lim, and to think about personal problems (resignation) after watching the future health conditions.” “I haven’t said anything to the judge to the effect that the resignation cannot be repaired due to the impeachment issue.”
Im Seong-geun “The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said that the political situation should also be considered and impeached.”
On the other hand, Deputy Judge Im Seong-geun, another party to the Dokdo University, directly refuted through a lawyer, saying, “The Supreme Court made a different announcement.”
Deputy Judge Lim said, “Because of gall bladder resection, kidney failure, etc., the health was not good, so I submitted my resignation to the Deputy Commissioner of the Court Administration just before the interview with Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo at the time.
Regarding Supreme Court Chief Kim’s comments on’impeachment’: “At the time, Supreme Court Chief Kim understands that’Judge Im is submitting a resignation. However, the Chief Justice has to consider various political situations. You can be criticized,” he said. He added, “The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said he would do it on his or her own whether or not to repair it,” he added. “The Supreme Court is still holding the resignation of Judge Lim.”
Controversy about the truth of the legal profession, such as interview recordings at the time of Judge Lim
It has also been confirmed that rumors have already circulated in the court regarding the fact that the two sides had been fighting for truth. A high court deputy judge said, “I heard the story of Deputy Chief Judge Im’s resignation and that the Supreme Court rejected it.” Rather than referring to’impeachment’ directly, there is a nuance of’Who will you like?’ I heard that it was.”
On the other hand, the other chief judge said, “I heard the situation clearly to the person in the legal profession at night,” and said, “I also heard that Judge Im had a transcript of the interview at the time.”
Judge Lim visited the Supreme Court and expressed his appreciation right after the general election of the 4·15 National Assembly last year. The ruling Democratic Party won 180 seats and won overwhelming victory in the general election.
In fact, the impeachment prosecution against Judge Im was initiated only on the 1st, eight months later.
Legal Affairs “If it is true, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court violates the separation of powers and political neutrality”
A vice-president judge who works at a court in the metropolitan area explained, “If Supreme Court Kim mentioned the pursuit of impeachment of the passport for refusal of resignation, this is an act that clearly violates the separation of powers and is itself a feeling of impeachment.” At that time, the court’s internal disciplinary proceedings against Judge Lim were ended due to the so-called’Justice Nongdan’ suspicion, and a’reprimand’ decision was published in the official gazette.
The judge said on the premise that it was a hypothetical situation, “if he refused to resign on the grounds of’possibility of impeachment’ even though he was reprimanded in the disciplinary proceedings determined by law, it was an obvious political act.”
On the other hand, an official at the Supreme Court refuted, “I was aware that I often spoke with Judge Im on the phone and expressed appreciation for health problems or interviews at the time.” “In common sense, does it make sense that the Chief Justice refused to accept the judge’s letter of resignation because of impeachment?” did.
Reporter Lee Sujeong [email protected]