Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae [Newsis]
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae [Newsis]

A sitting senior judge has called on Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae to publicly clarify his position on the Supreme Court justice vacancy crisis, ahead of the National Conference of Judicial Representatives scheduled for Nov. 30.

Kim Yong-hui, a senior judge at the Seoul Central District Court, posted a message Friday on Courtnet, the judiciary's internal network, under the title "Before the National Conference of Judicial Representatives, a request to the Chief Justice," according to MBC.

Kim opened by referencing Jo's stated reasons for refusing to re-nominate Supreme Court justice candidates, writing that while the chief justice's position was understood to reflect careful deliberation, "I still find it difficult to grasp its precise meaning, and in practice interpretations of it are running rampant."

Kim added that the national judicial conference, moved up by one week, would likely take up questions about external criticism and attacks directed at the chief justice and the judiciary. "The topics to be discussed — including reflection on the ruling to overturn and remand the presidential candidate case, and the appropriateness of a parliamentary investigation and impeachment proceedings against the chief justice — are almost too numerous to count," Kim wrote.

Kim went on to say that ahead of "this precious gathering where judicial representatives from across the country will share views and build consensus," the chief justice should clearly communicate his true intentions and plans going forward.

On Jo's refusal to re-nominate justice candidates, Kim also proposed a way out of what was described as a vacancy crisis with no exit in sight. "I would suggest that, on the premise that the president has in effect exercised a power to refuse appointments, the chief justice proceed with new nominations at an appropriate time and through procedures of the chief justice's own judgment," Kim wrote.


husn7@heraldcorp.com