Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae appeared Tuesday before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, for the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions.

In his opening remarks at the morning session, Jo addressed the prolonged vacancy on the Supreme Court bench. "I am deeply sorry for causing concern to the public over the extended vacancy among the justices," he said, adding that Cheong Wa Dae's request for a re-nomination had not clearly stated specific grounds or a constitutional basis, which he said made it difficult to proceed with follow-up steps.

Under convention, the chief justice delivers opening remarks at the national audit and then departs. The Legislation and Judiciary Committee — led by the Democratic Party — designated Jo as a general witness and pressed him to remain and testify, keeping him in his seat throughout the morning session. Jo left the National Assembly after the morning session was recessed.

Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae enters the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to attend the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae enters the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to attend the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae enters the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to attend the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae enters the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to attend the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae bows before delivering his opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae bows before delivering his opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae delivers opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae delivers opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae delivers opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae delivers opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae delivers opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae delivers opening remarks at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Staff members watch Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae deliver his opening remarks as the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions gets underway at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Staff members watch Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae deliver his opening remarks as the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions gets underway at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae responds to questions from lawmakers at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae responds to questions from lawmakers at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae takes a drink of water at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae takes a drink of water at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae responds to questions from lawmakers at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae responds to questions from lawmakers at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae attends the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae attends the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae responds to questions from lawmakers at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae responds to questions from lawmakers at the national audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions, held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae leaves his seat after the morning session of the national audit is recessed, at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae leaves his seat after the morning session of the national audit is recessed, at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. Photo by Lim Se-jun

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