Ruling party: Chief justice must answer for rejecting renomination request
PPP: Move aims to pressure him into resigning, violates judicial independence
The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee voted Monday to subpoena Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae as a witness for the upcoming national audit. People Power Party lawmakers walked out before the vote, which was driven by the Democratic Party of Korea.
The committee convened a plenary session that afternoon and passed a motion requiring the attendance of witnesses and reference persons for the national audit, including Jo. It has traditionally been customary for the chief justice to deliver brief remarks at the Supreme Court audit session before leaving.
The ruling party cited the controversy over Jo's refusal to renominate Supreme Court justice candidates, arguing that the committee must examine the circumstances behind his decision. "The Court Administration Office said the renomination was appropriate, yet he still refused to go through with it," said Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Ki-pyo. "It is right to call the chief justice before us and ask why he refused."
Seo Young-gyo, the committee chairwoman and a member of the same party, said the court administrator had called the existing Supreme Court justice candidates and pressured them to withdraw. "We need to call him in and ask," she said.
PPP lawmakers pushed back, arguing the move infringed on judicial independence. Before walking out, Rep. Yun Sang-hyun said, "The problem is that President Lee Jae Myung demanded a renomination without any constitutional basis or justification — it is the president who should be called as a witness."
Fellow PPP lawmaker Kim Tae-gyu said the move had no justification beyond an intent to embarrass and pressure the chief justice into resigning. "There is no precedent for summoning the chief justice for questioning, and this is a clear violation of judicial authority," he said.
Earlier Monday, Jo told reporters on his way into work that he would communicate anything necessary through the court's public affairs office, including in connection with the national audit.
Jo had previously nominated Son Bong-gi to President Lee for appointment to the Supreme Court, but Cheong Wa Dae returned the nomination and demanded a renomination. On Tuesday, Jo said he could not comply with the request.
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