The ruling and opposition parties clashed from the start today (October 6) at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court over whether Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae should leave the room after his opening remarks, as per tradition.

Chief Justice Cho attended the parliamentary audit held at the National Assembly today and read the agency head's opening remarks prepared in advance, in accordance with convention.

However, he did not take the witness oath during the audit.

Although he was selected as a general witness for the audit under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, he submitted a statement of reasons for his non-appearance as a general witness, arguing that testifying regarding the exercise of the power to recommend Supreme Court justice nominees runs counter to the principle of the separation of powers and judicial independence.

In response, the Democratic Party demanded today that Chief Justice Cho, as a witness, explain reasons such as his refusal to re-recommend candidates for Supreme Court justice.

Typically, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court leaves after delivering opening remarks, and the Minister of National Court Administration answers lawmakers' questions as the agency's representative, but Chief Justice Cho was not permitted to leave after his opening remarks today.

Regarding this, Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Democratic Party, warned when Chief Justice Cho did not take the oath, "If it is difficult to see that there is a legitimate reason for refusing to take the witness oath, follow-up measures may be taken in accordance with the Act on Testimony and Appraisal, etc. Before the National Assembly."

Representative Kim Eui-kyeom of the Democratic Party also said, "Chief Justice Cho has an obligation to take the oath and an obligation to answer lawmakers' inquiries," adding, "Isn't it breaking convention that the Chief Justice recommended (Supreme Court justice nominees) without an agreement (with the presidential office)?"

Representative Kim emphasized, "The response from the Minister of National Court Administration last time was too vague, and there were too many parts that could not be clarified," adding, "Taking the oath and answering what the public is curious about is a very natural duty not only as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court but also as a public official."

Lawmakers from the People Power Party attached signs reading 'Stop Destroying the Judiciary' onto their laptops and urged that the Chief Justice be allowed to leave.

Representative Park Hyeong-soo of the People Power Party argued, "For decades, the Chief Justice has delivered opening remarks and left, then returned to give closing remarks when the audit was concluding," asserting, "The convention is meant to respect the independence of the judiciary."

Representative Park criticized, "Forcibly keeping the Chief Justice sitting here is an act of arrest and detention by the power of the majority," adding, "Isn't the reason Supreme Court justices are not being appointed because the presidential office demanded a re-recommendation?

Then President Lee Jae-myung should appear (at the audit)."

From the seats of People Power Party lawmakers, vocal protests continued, such as "If he has to appear, Lee Jae-myung should appear too," "Down with the dictatorship," and "Legislative dictatorship," while Chair Seo Young-kyo fired back, "Why are you so rude and arrogant?" and "Those remarks are violent."

In the process, the audit chamber was engulfed in shouts and heated arguments.

However, direct critical remarks against Chief Justice Cho have not yet emerged from the Democratic Party.

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok previously mentioned before the audit today, "I think Chair Seo Young-kyo will likely conduct the session by asking all the necessary questions and examining all issues, while appropriately moderating and exercising restraint over parts the public might perceive as 'excessive.'"

Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties also clashed over the issue of Chief Justice Cho leaving the room during last year's parliamentary audit.

Chief Justice Cho was also selected as a general witness in last year's audit, but after reading his opening remarks, he stayed for about an hour and a half before leaving when permission to depart was granted.

At that time, Chief Justice Cho neither took the witness oath nor answered lawmakers' questions.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)