Seoul High Court chief judge: “No hierarchy among powers to recommend, appoint, and consent to Supreme Court justices”

[Financial News] Kim Dae-woong, chief judge of the Seoul High Court, said the President’s power to appoint Supreme Court justices, the Chief Justice’s power to recommend them, and the National Assembly’s power to consent to their appointment are equal, amid the stalled appointment between President Lee Jae-myung and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Cho Hee-dae.
Appearing at a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit of state affairs on the Seoul High Court and other institutions on the 16th, Kim said, “I do not think any of the powers of recommendation, consent, and appointment is superior to the others.”
Last August, Chief Justice Cho recommended Judge Son Bong-gi, a presiding judge at the Daegu District Court, for appointment as a Supreme Court justice. President Lee did not accept the recommendation and requested a new one. Chief Justice Cho again rejected the request, and the seat formerly held by Supreme Court Justice Noh Tae-ak has remained vacant since last March.
Earlier, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, appearing at the audit of state affairs, said, “The Chief Justice’s power to recommend, the National Assembly’s power to consent, and the President’s power to appoint should each be respected in accordance with their constitutional significance.”
Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Dong-a asked about Kim Min-gi, a high court judge at the Seoul High Court who was recommended by the Committee of Recommendation of Supreme Court Justice Candidates: “Do you think Kim Min-gi is sufficiently qualified to become a Supreme Court justice?”
Kim Dae-woong, chief judge of the Seoul High Court, said, “I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to evaluate individuals,” adding, “I think those recommended by the candidate recommendation committee were recommended because they have the necessary qualifications.”
However, when asked about the vacancy continuing for a long time, he replied, “It is not desirable.”


[email protected] Lee Chang-hoon Reporter