Ahn Cheol-soo: "A Person on Trial Wants to Choose the Judges... Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Should Not Recommend Supreme Court Justice Candidates"

[Financial News]  People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo argued that Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, who rejected the renewed recommendation of a candidate for Supreme Court justice, "must not recommend any Supreme Court justice candidates until President Lee Jae Myung declares that he will not intervene in the recommendation process."
On the 23rd, Ahn Cheol-soo wrote on Facebook, "President Lee Jae Myung is the first sitting president in constitutional history to stand trial in five cases: Daejang-dong, the Cash-for-summit scandal, violations of the Public Official Election Act, the corporate card case, and instigation of perjury."
He continued, "Moreover, President Lee can appoint 21 more Supreme Court justices during his term. If the cases reach the third and final trial after he completes his term, the Supreme Court justices handpicked by Lee will issue the rulings." He emphasized, "President Lee must not become involved in recommending Supreme Court justices because, as a criminal defendant, he has grounds for recusal and a conflict of interest."
Ahn Cheol-soo criticized him, saying, "Even so, a person on trial is vehemently insisting on choosing the judges" and "is solely obsessed with securing protection after leaving office."
He continued, "For the Supreme Court of Korea to once again search for a candidate and consult with Cheong Wa Dae would amount to the judiciary's subservience and the destruction of democracy." He added, "Chief Justice Cho and the Supreme Court of Korea must not make any recommendations for Supreme Court justices until President Lee declares that he will not intervene. They must suspend all candidate recommendation procedures, including the formation of the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee." He stressed, "This is the way to uphold the separation of powers, the most basic value of democracy, and protect democracy in the Republic of Korea."
Ahn also urged the public to demand, "Defendant President Lee, keep your hands off the recommendation process," and argued, "If President Lee does not accept this demand, he must confidently declare that he cannot appoint a single Supreme Court justice during his term, apart from one Chief Justice." He added, "I expect Chief Justice Cho and the members of the Supreme Court of Korea to show resolve in defending judicial independence."
Earlier, on Aug. 28 last month, Cheong Wa Dae rejected Chief Justice Cho's recommendation of Senior Judge Son Bong-gi as a Supreme Court justice. Twenty-five days later, on the 22nd, one day after President Lee departed on an overseas trip, Chief Justice Cho stated that he could not comply with Cheong Wa Dae's request for a renewed recommendation of a Supreme Court justice candidate.
Chief Justice Cho explained his refusal, saying, "Acts of the President under national law are carried out through documents countersigned by the prime minister and the relevant cabinet minister. Regarding the request for a renewed recommendation, the only document is one dated Aug. 28 titled 'Request for a Renewed Recommendation of a Candidate for Supreme Court Justice.' It does not state specific reasons for requesting the renewed recommendation or its constitutional basis."
In response, Cheong Wa Dae said, "We deeply regret the Chief Justice's announcement" and criticized it, saying, "The Chief Justice's statement reflects the view that the Chief Justice's authority to recommend Supreme Court justice candidates is superior to the President's authority to appoint them, an understanding that violates the Constitution of the Republic of Korea." It added, "The claim that the President must appoint a Supreme Court justice candidate exactly as recommended by the Chief Justice would nullify the appointment authority of the President, who is elected by the people."
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter