"Refusal Stated by 'Non-Submission to Assembly'": Cheong Wa Dae Strikes Back

[Anchor]

Cheong Wa Dae has struck back once again. The presidential office stated that even though the official document sent to the Supreme Court requesting a re-nomination clearly stated, "It has been decided not to submit a motion for appointment consent to the National Assembly," the Chief Justice misled the public regarding the facts. It also argued that the nomination itself had serious flaws.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan follows up.

[Reporter]

Five hours after Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae issued an additional statement, Cheong Wa Dae released a two-page rebuttal on A4 paper.

Regarding Chief Justice Cho's claim that the official document dated August 28 did not clearly state the reasons for requesting a re-nomination of the Supreme Court justice nominee, Cheong Wa Dae emphasized, "The official document states, 'As it has been decided not to submit a motion for appointment consent to the National Assembly regarding Supreme Court justice nominee Son Bong-ki.'"

The office maintained that this sentence clearly communicated its position of having no intention to appoint him—that is, the reason for requesting a re-nomination.

Cheong Wa Dae escalated its criticism, stating that Chief Justice Cho distorted facts yesterday by making it appear as if there were flaws in the official document, and today (September 23) is misleading the public by claiming the reasons were unclear.

Cheong Wa Dae also previously took issue with Chief Justice Cho's nomination process itself.

It argued that contacting the four candidates lawfully recommended by the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee individually to ask about their intention to withdraw was a "grave procedural flaw."

Cheong Wa Dae stressed that the president's authority to appoint Supreme Court justices is not merely a formality that must passively follow the Chief Justice's nomination, adding that a president endowed with democratic legitimacy through an election must be able to appoint or refuse to appoint Supreme Court justices.

An official from Cheong Wa Dae told SBS, "The request for re-nomination was lawful," adding, "There is virtually no possibility of making another request for re-nomination or sending nominee Son's appointment consent motion to the National Assembly."

This indicates that the presidential office will neither resend an official document specifying further reasons nor pursue the option of having the Democratic Party lead a vote to reject nominee Son's consent motion in the National Assembly.

Cheong Wa Dae also made it official that it is not considering filing for a competence dispute adjudication.

This is interpreted as a judgment that there is no practical benefit.

In political and legal circles, observations are emerging that the standoff could drag on until June next year, when Chief Justice Cho is set to retire.

Video by Yoon Hyeong | Video Editing by Park Seon-soo | Graphics by Kang Yoon-jeong
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.