Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Rejects Presidential Request for New Justice

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae of the Supreme Court of Korea rejected a request from the presidential office to recommend new justice candidates, citing a lack of explicit constitutional grounds and specific reasons for the request. The dispute began on August 18, when Cho recommended Judge Son Bong-gi in writing without prior discussion. The presidential office rejected this nomination on August 28, citing a lack of procedural completeness, and requested a resubmission.

Cho formally rejected the request for new recommendations on September 22. During a parliamentary audit on October 6, he apologized for the resulting prolonged vacancy in the court but maintained that the president and legislature cannot interfere with the chief justice's constitutional recommendation authority. He further declined to take an oath or testify as a witness during the audit, arguing that such demands compromise the principles of separation of powers and judicial independence.

The ruling Democratic Party criticized the Chief Justice for his refusal to testify and for attempting to rule above the Constitution. Party representatives accused Cho of having an arrogant perception of his powers and demanded he take responsibility for the exercise of his authority.