Cheong Wa Dae Denies Reports of a Competence Dispute Petition Over Cho Hee-dae’s Refusal to Re-recommend a Supreme Court Justice Nominee: "Not Under Review"

[Financial News] Cheong Wa Dae on the 23rd denied reports that it was considering filing a Competence Dispute petition with the Constitutional Court of Korea over Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s refusal to re-recommend a Supreme Court Justice nominee.
Cheong Wa Dae said in a press notice that day, "It is not considering filing a Competence Dispute petition."
Earlier, some media outlets reported, citing a senior Cheong Wa Dae official, that Cheong Wa Dae was considering filing a Competence Dispute petition with the Constitutional Court of Korea over Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s refusal to re-recommend a nominee. The reports said that if Cheong Wa Dae actually filed the petition, it could become the first case in which the court is asked to rule on the scope of the president’s authority to appoint Supreme Court Justices and the Chief Justice’s authority to recommend candidates.
A Competence Dispute is a procedure for seeking a ruling from the Constitutional Court of Korea when a dispute arises between state institutions over whether they possess certain powers or over the scope of those powers.
The latest conflict erupted last month when Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended Judge Son Bong-gi of the Daegu District Court as the successor to former Supreme Court Justice Rho Tae-ak. Cheong Wa Dae did not submit the bill seeking the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea’s consent to Son’s appointment and instead asked Cho to re-recommend a different candidate. Cho rejected the request on the 22nd, saying it lacked specific reasons and a constitutional basis.
Cheong Wa Dae has repeatedly urged Cho Hee-dae to re-recommend a candidate, arguing that his decision effectively neutralizes the president’s appointment authority. Although it has ruled out the possibility of filing a Competence Dispute petition, both sides are maintaining their existing positions, and the vacancy on the Supreme Court is expected to continue for the time being.
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter