People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok Claims Judiciary Is Being 'Trampled Under Dictator's Feet' Over Supreme Court Justice Recommendation Controversy

▲ People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok

People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok claimed regarding the recent controversy over Supreme Court justice recommendations that "the judiciary is being trampled under the dictator's feet."

Writing on his social media today (August 23), Leader Jang cited paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 104 of the Constitution, noting that they are "core provisions for the independence of the judiciary."

Article 104, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution states that "Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the President with the consent of the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice," while Paragraph 3 states that "Judges other than the Chief Justice and Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the Chief Justice with the consent of the Conference of Supreme Court Justices."

He continued, explaining that "the constitutional requirements for appointing Supreme Court justices are clear," adding, "Recommendation by the Chief Justice and consent by the National Assembly—that is all."

"Recommendation is the authority of the Chief Justice, and checks are performed by the National Assembly. That is enough," he added.

Jang pointed out, "There is nowhere any content about prior consultation or coordination with the President," emphasizing, "The President has even less authority to demand who should or should not be recommended."

He argued, "If the Supreme Court recommends justices according to the President's demands, the independence of the judiciary collapses," calling it "unconstitutionality of the highest order."

Directing his remarks toward the judiciary, he claimed, "Everything began with the 'suspension of trial' for President Lee Jae-myung," adding, "Once the judiciary submits to power, power will trample the entire judiciary."

Jang emphasized, "The judiciary is already being trampled under the dictator's feet," urging, "It must rise up wielding the only weapon the judiciary possesses: 'resuming the trial.'"

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