On September 22, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae rejected President Lee Jae-myung's request for the re-nomination of a Supreme Court Justice, leading to a direct confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly over the constitutional interpretation of the president's appointment power and the chief justice's re-nomination authority.
The ruling Democratic Party criticized the non-elected chief justice for disregarding the appointment power of an elected president, labeling the situation as a 'chaos of Hee-dae.' In contrast, the opposition People Power Party accused President Lee of engaging in 'judicial shopping' through the re-nomination request.
The Democratic Party held a rally in the National Assembly to condemn Chief Justice Cho's rejection of the re-nomination. Kim Min-seok, the party leader, stated, "This is not a time of insurrection but a time to extinguish its embers," criticizing those who attempt to reignite or revive insurrectionary thoughts and forces as destined to be cleaned up and organized.
He further emphasized, "The chaos of Hee-dae is delusion. It is a loss of sanity. We will surely suppress this 'chaos of delusion' and establish popular sovereignty."
Floor leader Han Byeong-do expressed skepticism about whether Chief Justice Cho is intentionally provoking conflict with the president and the public for political purposes, urging an immediate halt to political struggles using the re-nomination authority and a swift re-nomination of the justice candidates.
Members of the Democratic Party's Legislative and Judiciary Committee held a press conference, labeling the incident a 'judicial coup.' They stated, "This directly denies the president's constitutional appointment power while simultaneously violating the judiciary's obligation of political neutrality. They are engaging in political struggles under the guise of judicial independence."
The ruling Democratic Party criticized the non-elected chief justice for disregarding the appointment power of an elected president, labeling the situation as a 'chaos of Hee-dae.' In contrast, the opposition People Power Party accused President Lee of engaging in 'judicial shopping' through the re-nomination request.
The Democratic Party held a rally in the National Assembly to condemn Chief Justice Cho's rejection of the re-nomination. Kim Min-seok, the party leader, stated, "This is not a time of insurrection but a time to extinguish its embers," criticizing those who attempt to reignite or revive insurrectionary thoughts and forces as destined to be cleaned up and organized.
He further emphasized, "The chaos of Hee-dae is delusion. It is a loss of sanity. We will surely suppress this 'chaos of delusion' and establish popular sovereignty."
Floor leader Han Byeong-do expressed skepticism about whether Chief Justice Cho is intentionally provoking conflict with the president and the public for political purposes, urging an immediate halt to political struggles using the re-nomination authority and a swift re-nomination of the justice candidates.
Members of the Democratic Party's Legislative and Judiciary Committee held a press conference, labeling the incident a 'judicial coup.' They stated, "This directly denies the president's constitutional appointment power while simultaneously violating the judiciary's obligation of political neutrality. They are engaging in political struggles under the guise of judicial independence."
On the other hand, the People Power Party dismissed the Democratic Party's claims as 'absurd,' praising Chief Justice Cho's rejection of the re-nomination as "the best choice." Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, remarked that Chief Justice Cho demonstrated a firm will to protect judicial independence.
The People Power Party argues that the re-nomination itself is unconstitutional. Party members on the Legislative and Judiciary Committee accused the Democratic Party of politically inciting by misinterpreting the constitution and laws, labeling the ruling party's attacks on Chief Justice Cho as 'hypocritical.'
They likened the Blue House's re-nomination request to an order to change the justice candidates, asserting that if Chief Justice Cho complies with the re-nomination, it would mean relinquishing his own authority. Representative Kim Min-jeon stated, "The re-nomination request is tantamount to judicial shopping." Park Chung-gwon, the party's chief spokesperson, commented on the Blue House's failure to send the appointment consent bill for the justice candidate Son Bong-ki to the National Assembly, calling it an 'infringement of the National Assembly's appointment consent rights.'
As the standoff with Chief Justice Cho continues, the Democratic Party's concerns are expected to deepen. Prior to the rally, the party held a general meeting to review response strategies regarding the rejection of the re-nomination. However, discussions about impeaching Chief Justice Cho did not take place during this meeting.
Within the ruling party, there are discussions about amending the Court Organization Act to address the inadequacies in the constitutional provisions regarding re-nominations. However, concerns about the legal effectiveness of laws lacking constitutional basis and whether they can be applied retroactively are likely to prolong the deliberations.
The People Power Party argues that the re-nomination itself is unconstitutional. Party members on the Legislative and Judiciary Committee accused the Democratic Party of politically inciting by misinterpreting the constitution and laws, labeling the ruling party's attacks on Chief Justice Cho as 'hypocritical.'
They likened the Blue House's re-nomination request to an order to change the justice candidates, asserting that if Chief Justice Cho complies with the re-nomination, it would mean relinquishing his own authority. Representative Kim Min-jeon stated, "The re-nomination request is tantamount to judicial shopping." Park Chung-gwon, the party's chief spokesperson, commented on the Blue House's failure to send the appointment consent bill for the justice candidate Son Bong-ki to the National Assembly, calling it an 'infringement of the National Assembly's appointment consent rights.'
As the standoff with Chief Justice Cho continues, the Democratic Party's concerns are expected to deepen. Prior to the rally, the party held a general meeting to review response strategies regarding the rejection of the re-nomination. However, discussions about impeaching Chief Justice Cho did not take place during this meeting.
Within the ruling party, there are discussions about amending the Court Organization Act to address the inadequacies in the constitutional provisions regarding re-nominations. However, concerns about the legal effectiveness of laws lacking constitutional basis and whether they can be applied retroactively are likely to prolong the deliberations.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Cho stated through the Supreme Court that "the document requesting re-nomination lacks specific reasons and constitutional grounds for the request," adding, "I cannot comply with the request as I cannot find justifiable constitutional grounds and reasons to support it."
In response, the Blue House expressed deep regret, pointing out that the perception that the chief justice's re-nomination authority supersedes the president's appointment power is contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. They argued that stating the president must appoint a justice candidate once the chief justice nominates one undermines the president's appointment power, asserting that since the president has rejected the nominated candidate, the only option left is to re-nominate a new candidate.
In response, the Blue House expressed deep regret, pointing out that the perception that the chief justice's re-nomination authority supersedes the president's appointment power is contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. They argued that stating the president must appoint a justice candidate once the chief justice nominates one undermines the president's appointment power, asserting that since the president has rejected the nominated candidate, the only option left is to re-nominate a new candidate.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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