Blue House Responds to Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's Rejection of Supreme Court Nominee

The Blue House issued an unusual second statement on September 22, responding to Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's rejection of the Supreme Court justice nominee. The Blue House clarified that President Lee Jae-myung's nomination request included the signature of the Prime Minister and explicitly stated the intention not to appoint candidate Son Bong-ki.

In the statement, the Blue House criticized Chief Justice Cho's assertion that "the President's actions under the law are conducted through documents signed by the Prime Minister and relevant ministers," claiming it distorts the facts by suggesting that the nomination request lacked constitutional compliance.

According to the Blue House, the nomination request dated August 28 was executed electronically and signed by the Prime Minister.

The Blue House argued that if the absence of a signature from relevant ministers renders the nomination request invalid, it would also undermine the validity of past appointments of Supreme Court justices made solely with the Prime Minister's signature.

It explained that the omission of terms like 'returned' or 'rejected' in the document was out of respect for the Chief Justice. Instead, it stated, "In accordance with Article 104, Section 2 of the Constitution and Article 41, Section 2 of the Court Organization Act, we have decided not to submit a confirmation request to the National Assembly for candidate Son," clearly indicating the refusal to accept the nomination.

The Blue House asserted, "Once the President rejects a nominated candidate, the only option for the Chief Justice is to propose a new candidate." It noted that the constitutional basis for not accepting the nomination was included in the document, and specific reasons were provided during a briefing by the chief spokesperson.

Earlier, the Blue House expressed "deep regret" over Chief Justice Cho's rejection of the nomination. It criticized the notion that the Chief Justice's nomination authority supersedes the President's appointment authority, arguing that the claim that the President must appoint a nominated candidate undermines the appointment power.

Chief Justice Cho stated that the request document from the Blue House did not include specific reasons or constitutional grounds for the nomination, asserting, "I cannot comply with the nomination request." The Blue House reiterated its criticism, stating that the vacancy following the retirement of former Justice Noh Tae-ack on March 3 has lasted over six months, infringing on the public's right to a speedy trial.