The Blue House and Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae have been in conflict for two consecutive days over the issue of re-nominating Supreme Court justice candidates. After Cho reiterated that the reasons for the re-nomination request were unclear, the Blue House countered that the intent of the official document was clear.
According to Yonhap News on September 23, Chief Justice Cho stated, "The official document regarding the re-nomination request does not clearly specify the reasons for the request," adding, "For the document to be effective, clear grounds and reasons must be presented, allowing for procedures to be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and laws." This was a reiteration of his refusal to comply with the Blue House's request made the previous day.
He further emphasized, "The reasons cited in the media regarding 'procedural defects in the re-nomination process' are difficult to accept based on the provisions of the Constitution and laws."
In response to Cho's remarks, the Blue House launched a counter-argument. It pointed out that Cho had not submitted the nomination agreement for Son Bong-ki, a senior judge at the Daegu District Court, as his successor to former Supreme Court Justice Noh Tae-ack, stating, "The document clearly indicates a refusal to submit the nomination agreement for Son to the National Assembly, which signifies a lack of intent to appoint him." The Blue House accused Cho of obfuscating the clarity of the reasons for the re-nomination request.
The Blue House also referenced past controversies surrounding the Supreme Court's attempts to re-nominate candidates. A Blue House official stated, "Despite receiving four candidates legally recommended by the Supreme Court's candidate recommendation committee in accordance with the Court Organization Act, contacting candidates individually to inquire about their willingness to withdraw without legal grounds constitutes a procedural defect."
Political parties continued to clash over the re-nomination issue. Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at a Supreme Council meeting, "The unprecedented unconstitutional, illegal, and insurrectionary refusal of the re-nomination is fundamentally a disregard for the public," vowing to utilize all powers of the National Assembly to investigate, summon, question, and hold legal accountability.
Democratic Party lawmakers visited the Supreme Court in protest that afternoon. Floor leader Han Byeong-do criticized Chief Justice Cho, saying, "It is like stabbing a knife in the back while the president is on a trip abroad." The Democratic Party is prioritizing responses at the National Assembly level, including inquiries into current issues and a national investigation, while keeping the possibility of a special prosecutor open if necessary. They believe that persuading the public should come first regarding impeachment.
The People Power Party expressed support for Chief Justice Cho's refusal of the re-nomination, arguing that the government and ruling party are pressuring the judiciary in violation of the Constitution. The People Power Party previously filed a constitutional dispute with the Constitutional Court regarding the Blue House's failure to submit the nomination agreement for Son and the re-nomination request.
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk criticized during a press conference the previous day, stating, "The cause of this situation is clear. President Yoon Suk-yeol insists on appointing Justice Kim Min-ki, who is known for his controversial rulings, to secure a not guilty verdict in his own trial."
According to Yonhap News on September 23, Chief Justice Cho stated, "The official document regarding the re-nomination request does not clearly specify the reasons for the request," adding, "For the document to be effective, clear grounds and reasons must be presented, allowing for procedures to be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and laws." This was a reiteration of his refusal to comply with the Blue House's request made the previous day.
He further emphasized, "The reasons cited in the media regarding 'procedural defects in the re-nomination process' are difficult to accept based on the provisions of the Constitution and laws."
In response to Cho's remarks, the Blue House launched a counter-argument. It pointed out that Cho had not submitted the nomination agreement for Son Bong-ki, a senior judge at the Daegu District Court, as his successor to former Supreme Court Justice Noh Tae-ack, stating, "The document clearly indicates a refusal to submit the nomination agreement for Son to the National Assembly, which signifies a lack of intent to appoint him." The Blue House accused Cho of obfuscating the clarity of the reasons for the re-nomination request.
The Blue House also referenced past controversies surrounding the Supreme Court's attempts to re-nominate candidates. A Blue House official stated, "Despite receiving four candidates legally recommended by the Supreme Court's candidate recommendation committee in accordance with the Court Organization Act, contacting candidates individually to inquire about their willingness to withdraw without legal grounds constitutes a procedural defect."
Political parties continued to clash over the re-nomination issue. Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at a Supreme Council meeting, "The unprecedented unconstitutional, illegal, and insurrectionary refusal of the re-nomination is fundamentally a disregard for the public," vowing to utilize all powers of the National Assembly to investigate, summon, question, and hold legal accountability.
Democratic Party lawmakers visited the Supreme Court in protest that afternoon. Floor leader Han Byeong-do criticized Chief Justice Cho, saying, "It is like stabbing a knife in the back while the president is on a trip abroad." The Democratic Party is prioritizing responses at the National Assembly level, including inquiries into current issues and a national investigation, while keeping the possibility of a special prosecutor open if necessary. They believe that persuading the public should come first regarding impeachment.
The People Power Party expressed support for Chief Justice Cho's refusal of the re-nomination, arguing that the government and ruling party are pressuring the judiciary in violation of the Constitution. The People Power Party previously filed a constitutional dispute with the Constitutional Court regarding the Blue House's failure to submit the nomination agreement for Son and the re-nomination request.
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk criticized during a press conference the previous day, stating, "The cause of this situation is clear. President Yoon Suk-yeol insists on appointing Justice Kim Min-ki, who is known for his controversial rulings, to secure a not guilty verdict in his own trial."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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