Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Makes Strong Remarks from Start of Audit, Sparking Fierce Clashes Until Departure

[Anchor]

The second parliamentary audit of the Lee Jae-myung administration has begun. On its first day, the biggest battleground between the ruling and opposition parties was the Supreme Court audit, attended by Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. Over the attendance of Chief Justice Cho, who refused to take the witness oath, the audit chamber descended into utter turmoil from the very start. Chief Justice Cho unleashed pointed remarks, asserting, "Neither the National Assembly nor the President can interfere with the Chief Justice's recommendation of Supreme Court justices."

Park Jae-yeon reports as our top story.

[Reporter]

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae attended the parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee this morning (October 6).

Maintaining the position that he attended as the head of an agency rather than as a witness, Chief Justice Cho directly attacked the pan-ruling camp lawmakers during his opening remarks, stating that demanding his appearance by designating the Chief Justice as a regular witness constitutes "a violation of the separation of powers."

[Cho Hee-dae / Chief Justice: Demanding testimony regarding the Chief Justice's recommendation of Supreme Court justices risks undermining the principles of the separation of powers and judicial independence.]

While it had been customary to leave after making opening remarks, Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo of the pan-ruling camp refused permission, leading Chief Justice Cho to remain seated while refusing to take the witness oath, as ruling and opposition lawmakers engaged in a heated war of words.

[Kim Eui-kyeom / Democratic Party Lawmaker: I believe that answering questions that the public is curious about is an entirely natural duty, not only as the Chief Justice but also as a public official.]

[Park Hyung-soo / People Power Party Lawmaker: This is an act of arrest and confinement by the power of the majority. Isn't this because you demanded a re-recommendation? Then who should appear? President Lee Jae-myung should appear.]

Chief Justice Cho, who had remained silent, pulled out a prepared sheet of paper to refute the questions as inquiries continued regarding the issue of "re-recommending a Supreme Court justice."

[Kim Ki-pyo / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Isn't the Chief Justice overly consumed by obstinacy and a battle of nerves with the President?]

[Cho Hee-dae / Chief Justice: Interfering with the Chief Justice's recommendations violates the distribution of authority among state institutions explicitly set forth in the Constitution and the independence of judicial power, making it an unconstitutional measure.]

Regarding the custom of prior consultation between the President and the Chief Justice, he stated the following position:

[Cho Hee-dae / Chief Justice: While there is no constitutional basis for the Chief Justice engaging in consultations, the Chief Justice has cooperated voluntarily to ensure swift and smooth appointments.]

The Democratic Party rebuked him, arguing that the President's appointment authority takes precedence.

[Park Gyun-taeg / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Refusing to make a re-recommendation is a denial of the President's appointment power prescribed in the Constitution.]

The People Power Party focused on defending Chief Justice Cho.

[Kwak Kyu-taek / People Power Party Lawmaker: Has the separation of powers and judicial independence ever been shaken like this by a president, government, and ruling party?]

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae did not attend the parliamentary audit when it resumed in the afternoon, citing health and judicial independence, among other reasons, which the Democratic Party views as an "unauthorized absence."

(Reported by Oh Young-chun, Kim Yong-woo, and Shin Dong-hwan | Video edited by Nam Il)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.