청와대, 대법관 재제청 촉구…조희대는 사법부 독립 강조

Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, Rebuilding Korea Party and Progressive Party on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee criticized Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae on the 22nd for refusing a request to nominate a Supreme Court justice again. They called it a political act violating the judiciary's duty of political neutrality, while the Democratic Party side said it intended to discuss with party leaders whether to pursue impeachment.

The lawmakers cited Article 104(2) of the Constitution, which provides for nomination by the chief justice, parliamentary consent and appointment by the president. They argued that requesting a new nominee was a legitimate exercise of presidential appointment power, rebutting Cho's position that there were no constitutional grounds or reasons to justify it.

The Democratic Party requested that Cho appear as a witness at the judiciary committee's parliamentary audit in October. The lawmakers also said they intended to establish the facts of the matter during the audit.

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo called on Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to halt Supreme Court justice nominations. Ahn said no justice should be nominated until President Lee Jae-myung declares that he will not intervene in the nomination process.

In a social media post on the 23rd, Ahn said the formation of the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee and all candidate recommendation procedures should also stop. He argued that the halt he was seeking would protect the separation of powers and South Korea's democracy.

Chief Justice Cho said the previous day that he would not comply with the presidential office's request to submit a new Supreme Court nominee. He said he could find no specific constitutional basis or grounds to justify the request. The presidential office countered that his position undermined the president's appointment authority and reflected a view contrary to the Constitution.