The National Assembly's Judiciary Committee voted on August 19 to summon Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, led by the Democratic Party. Although the request for Cho's appearance was not on the original agenda, it was accepted by Judiciary Committee Chair Seo Young-kyu at the request of ruling party lawmaker Kim Seung-won.
During the full committee meeting, members voted on the agenda change and the request for the Chief Justice's appearance. All members of the opposition People Power Party voted against the motion, but it passed with support from the Democratic Party and other ruling coalition members.
Chair Seo explained that the request for Chief Justice Cho's appearance aims to inquire about the prolonged vacancy in the Supreme Court justice nomination process and the reasons for referring specific cases to the Supreme Court's en banc.
Previously, Chief Justice Cho faced criticism for submitting two final candidates for Supreme Court justices to President Yoon Suk Yeol in writing, which was seen as disregarding the president and the National Assembly. In response, the People Power Party asserted that the authority to nominate justices lies with the Chief Justice.
People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo criticized the situation, stating, "The Blue House has abused its power by interfering in the nomination process and is now blaming the Chief Justice, who exercised his legitimate authority. This is legislative tyranny and an embarrassment to the public."
Despite opposition from the People Power Party, the ruling party's demand for Chief Justice Cho's appearance led to a press conference by the People Power Party's Judiciary Committee members, who claimed, "The Democratic Party is directly infringing upon judicial authority."
Opposition lawmaker Park Hyung-soo stated, "The Democratic Party's attack on the principle of separation of powers has gone too far," emphasizing that the essence of the controversy over the delay in nominations is not the method of nomination but rather why the Blue House intervened in the nomination process, leading to the current delays.
He added, "We must clarify whether the Blue House insisted on specific candidates, whether preferences or exclusions were communicated, and who from the presidential office contacted the Supreme Court during this process. The person who should come to the National Assembly to provide a sincere explanation is not Chief Justice Cho, but President Yoon."
Concerns were also raised that allowing the president to dictate nominations under the guise of 'prior coordination' would undermine the nomination authority, potentially leading to an unconstitutional concept of 'prior approval' not found in the constitution.
Lawmaker Kim Tae-kyu urged, "This administration has been directly infringing upon judicial authority since it took office, and this behavior must stop."
During the full committee meeting, members voted on the agenda change and the request for the Chief Justice's appearance. All members of the opposition People Power Party voted against the motion, but it passed with support from the Democratic Party and other ruling coalition members.
Chair Seo explained that the request for Chief Justice Cho's appearance aims to inquire about the prolonged vacancy in the Supreme Court justice nomination process and the reasons for referring specific cases to the Supreme Court's en banc.
Previously, Chief Justice Cho faced criticism for submitting two final candidates for Supreme Court justices to President Yoon Suk Yeol in writing, which was seen as disregarding the president and the National Assembly. In response, the People Power Party asserted that the authority to nominate justices lies with the Chief Justice.
People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo criticized the situation, stating, "The Blue House has abused its power by interfering in the nomination process and is now blaming the Chief Justice, who exercised his legitimate authority. This is legislative tyranny and an embarrassment to the public."
Despite opposition from the People Power Party, the ruling party's demand for Chief Justice Cho's appearance led to a press conference by the People Power Party's Judiciary Committee members, who claimed, "The Democratic Party is directly infringing upon judicial authority."
Opposition lawmaker Park Hyung-soo stated, "The Democratic Party's attack on the principle of separation of powers has gone too far," emphasizing that the essence of the controversy over the delay in nominations is not the method of nomination but rather why the Blue House intervened in the nomination process, leading to the current delays.
He added, "We must clarify whether the Blue House insisted on specific candidates, whether preferences or exclusions were communicated, and who from the presidential office contacted the Supreme Court during this process. The person who should come to the National Assembly to provide a sincere explanation is not Chief Justice Cho, but President Yoon."
Concerns were also raised that allowing the president to dictate nominations under the guise of 'prior coordination' would undermine the nomination authority, potentially leading to an unconstitutional concept of 'prior approval' not found in the constitution.
Lawmaker Kim Tae-kyu urged, "This administration has been directly infringing upon judicial authority since it took office, and this behavior must stop."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.