Kang Hoon-sik Meets Cho Hee-dae: "The President Could Not Come in Person, So He Sent the Chief Presidential Secretary" ... Holds Back on Reappointment Issue

[Financial News] Kang Hoon-sik, chief presidential secretary, visited the funeral hall for the late father of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Korea Cho Hee-dae on the 31st, paid his respects for about 30 minutes, and conveyed President Lee Jae-myung's condolences. Interest was high in what the two discussed, as Cheong Wa Dae and the Supreme Court of Korea have recently clashed over the reappointment of Supreme Court Justice nominee Judge Son Bong-gi of the Daegu District Court. However, Kang declined to comment on whether the issue was raised.
After paying his respects at the funeral hall for Cho's father, Jo Bu-hwan, at Pohang St. Mary's Hospital in North Gyeongsang Province, Kang told reporters, "I conveyed my deepest condolences to Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and his bereaved family, who are going through profound grief."
He added, "I told the Chief Justice that the President could not come in person, so he sent the chief presidential secretary." He explained, "I spoke to the Chief Justice in a way that would allow a deeper sense of the President's feelings to be conveyed."
Kang said Cho replied, "I am deeply grateful, and please be sure to convey that gratitude to the President." Lee also expressed his condolences by sending a wreath in his own name.
Kang was reported to have spoken with Cho at the funeral hall for about 30 minutes.
However, he declined to answer questions about whether they also discussed the recent issue of Judge Son's reappointment. Kang said, "I think saying only this much today is the proper thing to do for those who are going through deep sorrow," adding, "I ask reporters to understand that I can only say this much."
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter