Cheong Wa Dae Slams Supreme Court for "Neutralizing Presidential Appointment Power," Furious Over "Robbing an Empty House"

[Anchor]

Cheong Wa Dae criticized the Supreme Court's refusal to recommend a new nominee, stating that it violates the Constitution and neutralizes the president's appointment power. As the Chief Justice announced the refusal while President Lee Jae-myung was away on an overseas tour, furious reactions erupted from within the presidential office, describing the move as "robbing an empty house."

Reporter Kang Cheong-wan reports.

[Reporter]

Immediately following Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's statement, Cheong Wa Dae issued statements twice, expressing regret and mounting a rebuttal.

First, it criticized the stance as "an unconstitutional perception that the Chief Justice's recommendation authority takes precedence over the president's appointment power," adding that it "neutralizes the appointment power of the president elected by the people."

Regarding Chief Justice Cho's remark that an official document dated August 28 requesting a renewed recommendation for a Supreme Court justice nominee did not specify concrete reasons or constitutional grounds, Cheong Wa Dae countered, "The president merely refrained from using terms such as 'return' or 'rejection' out of respect for the Chief Justice, but clearly conveyed the intent to reject by not submitting a motion for consent to appointment to the National Assembly for nominee Son Bong-gi." It added that the constitutional basis for returning the nomination was also made clear in the official document.

Cheong Wa Dae also emphasized that "as long as the president has rejected the recommended nominee, the Chief Justice must recommend a new nominee," putting pressure on Chief Justice Cho by stating, "The Chief Justice must face the fact that a prolonged vacancy of a Supreme Court justice ultimately harms the public and must not leave the current situation unattended."

Because this unfolded while President Lee Jae-myung was away on an overseas trip, indignant reactions even emerged from within Cheong Wa Dae, questioning whether it was "robbing an empty house."

Cheong Wa Dae officials also concurred that Chief Justice Cho made no mention of the issue during a tea meeting held with President Lee immediately following the appointment ceremony for Supreme Court Justice Kim Seong-soo.

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official told SBS, "Chief Justice Cho's stance claiming no constitutional grounds or reasons could be found makes no sense," adding, "Acting like this ahead of the Chuseok holiday is a political act."

When asked about the possibility of requesting an adjudication on competence dispute from the Constitutional Court, the official drew the line, saying, "Not only is this matter so obvious, but it would also be preposterous for the president to file for an adjudication on competence dispute."

Video by Yoon Hyeong | Video Editing by Yoo Mi-ra | Graphics by Seo Hyeon-jung
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.