Chief Justice Speaks Out at Parliamentary Audit, Sparks Fierce Clashes Until Departure

[Anchor]

At the parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court held yesterday (October 6), Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae emphasized judicial independence, stating that neither the National Assembly nor the president can interfere in judicial nominations. The parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court, marked by sharp exchanges between ruling and opposition lawmakers and Chief Justice Cho, ended after 11 p.m.

Reporter Park Jae-yeon reports first.

[Reporter]

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae appeared yesterday morning at the parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

Taking the position that he attended as the head of an agency rather than as a witness, Chief Justice Cho directly criticized lawmakers aligned with the ruling camp in his introductory remarks, stating that adopting him, the Chief Justice, as a general witness and demanding his attendance undermines the separation of powers.

[Cho Hee-dae / Chief Justice: Demanding that the Chief Justice testify regarding nominations of Supreme Court justices poses a risk of undermining the principles of the separation of powers and judicial independence.]

When he was not permitted to leave, Chief Justice Cho remained in his seat throughout the morning while refusing to take the witness oath, as ruling and opposition lawmakers engaged in sharp verbal battles.

[Kim Eui-kyeom / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Answering questions the public is curious about is a completely natural duty not only as Chief Justice, but also as a public official.]

[Park Hyung-soo / People Power Party Lawmaker: This is an act of arrest and detention using the power of the majority. Isn't this because a re-nomination was requested? Then who should come out? President Lee Jae-myung should come out.]

Chief Justice Cho, who had remained silent, took out prepared notes and pushed back as questioning continued regarding the issue of re-nominating Supreme Court justices.

[Kim Ki-pyo / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Isn't the Chief Justice too caught up in a battle of wills with the president and stubbornness?]

[Cho Hee-dae / Chief Justice: Interfering with the Chief Justice's nominations goes against the division of powers between state organs explicitly stipulated in the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary, and is an unconstitutional measure.]

The Democratic Party rebuked him, arguing that the president's appointment power takes precedence,

[Park Gyun-taek / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Refusing a re-nomination is denying the president's appointment power stipulated in the Constitution.]

while the People Power Party focused on defending Chief Justice Cho.

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

Chief Justice Cho, who had not been present since the afternoon, reappeared late at night in the audit room and said in his closing remarks, "I will do my best to ensure the Supreme Court achieves a complete composition." In response, Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Suh Young-kyo criticized him, saying, "Many people likely perceived Chief Justice Cho as very arrogant."

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