Cheong Wa Dae Says Cho Hee-dae's "Refusal to Recommend Another Candidate" Reflects "a View That Violates the Constitution"

[Financial News] Cheong Wa Dae on the 22nd expressed deep regret over Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's refusal to comply with a request to recommend another candidate for Supreme Court Justice, calling it "a view that violates the Constitution of South Korea."
In a notice to the press issued that day, Cheong Wa Dae said, "We express deep regret over the Chief Justice's announcement that he will not recommend another candidate to succeed former Supreme Court Justice Rho Tae-ak, despite the president's rejection of the original recommendation."
It added, "The Chief Justice's announcement reflects a view that the Chief Justice's authority to recommend candidates takes precedence over the president's appointment authority, which violates the Constitution of South Korea." It also pointed out, "The assertion that the president must appoint a Supreme Court Justice exactly as recommended by the Chief Justice would neutralize the appointment authority of a president elected by the people."
Earlier that day, Chief Justice Cho said through the Supreme Court of Korea, "An act by the president under national law is carried out through a document countersigned by the prime minister and the relevant State Council member." He added, "The document concerning the request to recommend another candidate does not state specific reasons for the request or its constitutional basis."
He continued, "I can find no specific constitutional grounds or reasons that would otherwise justify the request to recommend another candidate," adding, "I cannot comply with the request."
On the 18th of last month, Chief Justice Cho recommended Judge Son Bong-gi of the Daegu District Court for appointment as the successor to former Supreme Court Justice Rho Tae-ak. On the 28th of the same month, Cheong Wa Dae decided not to submit the motion for parliamentary consent on Judge Son's appointment to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and requested that another candidate be recommended.
Cheong Wa Dae also emphasized the harm to the public caused by the prolonged vacancy on the Supreme Court. It said, "It has been six months since former Supreme Court Justice Rho Tae-ak retired." It added, "With each Supreme Court Justice handling 3,500 to 4,600 cases annually, the vacancy of a single Supreme Court Justice is directly resulting in an infringement of the public's right to receive a speedy trial."
It urged, "The Chief Justice must face the fact that the prolonged vacancy of a Supreme Court Justice is causing harm to the public and must no longer leave the current situation unattended."
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter