Seoul: Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae has voiced strong opposition to two judicial reform bills backed by the ruling Democratic Party (DP), citing potential "great harm" to the public. The controversial bills, approved by the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee on Wednesday, propose to allow constitutional appeals for cases finalized by the Supreme Court and increase the number of justices from 14 to 26.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chief Justice Cho emphasized the need for thorough public debate and deliberation on the bills. "As the outcome could result in great harm to the people, the Supreme Court will continue to consult and persuade the National Assembly," Cho stated to reporters. The DP aims to pass the bills into law during a plenary session at the National Assembly by the end of the month, in their ongoing efforts to reform the judiciary.

The main opposition party, People Power Party (PPP), has expressed strong resistance to the proposed bills, opting to boycott the parliamentary committee vote on Wednesday. PPP floor leader Song Eon-seog accused the bills of being a strategy to shield President Lee Jae Myung from his ongoing criminal trials, which have been paused since his presidential election last year.

"There is only one objective," Song declared during a party meeting. "It is to completely eliminate Lee's five trials to ensure his safety even after his term." PPP chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon further criticized the potential impact of the bills, highlighting that if passed, President Lee could appoint 22 justices during his term, casting doubt on the true intentions of the judicial reform.

The controversy deepens as last May, the Supreme Court overturned Lee's acquittal by a lower court in an election law violation case, a decision made just a month before his presidential victory.