Key facts
- Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae will clarify his stance on recommending a new justice candidate during the upcoming parliamentary audit.
- Cho refused last week to recommend a candidate, citing a lack of specific reasons or constitutional grounds.
- The presidential office had asked Cho to recommend a new justice candidate.
- The presidential office accused Cho of holding a view in violation of the Constitution.
- Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chief justice and with the consent of the National Assembly.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae said Tuesday he plans to clarify his position on his refusal to recommend a new justice candidate during the upcoming annual parliamentary audit. The chief justice has been embroiled in a dispute with the presidential office after it asked him last month to recommend a candidate. Cho refused the request last week, stating there were no specific reasons or constitutional grounds to do so. When questioned by reporters on Monday, Cho indicated he would state his position during the parliamentary audit of the court, scheduled to commence on October 6. His refusal prompted swift criticism from the presidential office, which alleged his stance violated the Constitution. According to the Constitution, Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice and with the consent of the National Assembly.