The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed a motion during its plenary session today (the 19th) demanding the attendance of Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de, led by the Democratic Party.

The motion to summon Chief Justice Jo, submitted at the request of Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won, was approved in a vote with the support of pan-ruling camp lawmakers.

Lawmakers from the People Power Party cast dissenting votes.

Judiciary Committee Chairperson Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Democratic Party, explained during the meeting, "This is to question what happened during the nomination process for Supreme Court justices, which has been vacant for a long time, and the reasons for referring the trials of Kim Keon-hee, Han Duk-soo, and Lee Sang-min to the Supreme Court's full bench."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min said, "Whenever the National Assembly called the Chief Justice in the past, they refused, claiming it was a matter under trial, but the appointment nomination is judicial administration. Now there is no justification to refuse."

During the meeting, the Democratic Party criticized Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo's submission of the final two Supreme Court justice candidates to President Lee Jae-myung through a "written" appointment nomination as judicial politics that disrespects the president and the National Assembly.

In response, the People Power Party countered that the right to nominate Supreme Court justices is the exclusive authority of the Chief Justice, and that there is no reason for the Chief Justice to nominate specific candidates according to the President's wishes.

Lawmaker Joo Jin-woo criticized, "The presidential office committed an abuse of power by meddling in the nomination right, and now they are shifting the blame onto the Chief Justice who exercised a legitimate nomination right. This is legislative dictatorship and a deeply embarrassing matter for the public."

(Photo: Yonhap News)