DP Calls Chief Justice Cho's 'Refusal to Re-Nominate' a Political Act, PPP Warns Against 'Taming Judiciary'

Rival parties continued to clash on Thursday, the first day of the Chuseok holiday, over Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's refusal of Cheong Wa Dae's request to re-nominate Supreme Court justice candidates.

The Democratic Party questioned what political forces were behind Chief Justice Cho, while the People Power Party launched a counterattack, claiming that the government and the ruling party were mentioning a follow-up investigative body on the insurrection case as a way to pressure Cho.

In a written briefing, Park Sung-joon, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized it as "an unprecedented overstepping of authority in which the Chief Justice obstructs the appointment power granted to the president by the Constitution and the people," calling it "a clear violation of the Constitution and blatant political self-serving."

He continued, "Chief Justice Cho must answer what the Chief Justice and Supreme Court justices—who should have declared a violation of the Constitution on the night of the Dec. 3 insurrection—did during their emergency meeting, who is behind Chief Justice Cho's blatant political actions, and with which political forces or groups he is colluding."

He added, "The People Power Party praises such behavior of a political broker as a 'decision that protected the Constitution,'" criticizing that "it is typical of a party that defended the insurrection."

Spokesperson Shin Hyun-young also urged in a written briefing, "Chief Justice Cho ignored internal discussions and the public deliberation process within the Supreme Court," adding, "We hope he takes responsibility for the confusion he has caused so far and decides for himself what is the best path for the Republic of Korea."

On the other hand, Jeong Jeom-sig, floor leader of the People Power Party, claimed on Facebook on Thursday, "Reviewing the formation of a special investigation headquarters for the insurrection case is an overt threat against Chief Justice Cho."

He sarcastically added, "According to Cheong Wa Dae's logic, forces behind the insurrection still remain to the extent that a special investigation is needed, yet in such a grave situation, the president has gone on overseas trips as many as 14 times."

He lashed out, "The 'insurrection' repeatedly invoked by the Democratic Party is merely a political stigma pinned on anyone they dislike," adding, "It is identical to the 'reactionary elements' shouted by the North Korean regime when engaging in political repression."

Choi Soojin, senior floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized in a commentary on Thursday, "Kicking away the Chief Justice's lawful recommendation and demanding candidates tailored to their tastes is an obvious attempt to tame the judiciary," asking, "Do you intend to go down in history as a president who broke down the embankment of the separation of powers for personal safety and partisan interests?"

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.