DP leader urges Supreme Court chief to resign over written recommendation of new justices

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Kim Min-seok, former prime minister and newly appointed leader of the ruling Democratic Party, called on Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign on Wednesday, criticizing his written recommendation of two new Supreme Court justices to the president the day before. According to Kim, Cho, described as the worst chief justice since the nation's liberation, must resign due to his conduct.

Kim questioned how a person in the position of chief justice could commit such judicial misconduct without any shame. On Tuesday, Cho had recommended Son Bong-kie of the Daegu District Court and Kim Sung-soo of the Seoul High Court for appointment as new Supreme Court justices by the president. However, Cho reportedly bypassed the customary face-to-face recommendation process and instead submitted his recommended nominees in writing to the presidential office.

Kim argued that while the public had shown Cho respect for an honorable retirement, he had instead brought about a dishonorable retirement, similar to former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Kim described Cho's actions as akin to a delinquent student breaking a window and then demanding to be expelled and allowed to stop studying. Kim noted that Cho had violated the law by following an irregular procedure for recommending new Supreme Court justices, as the chief justice typically consults with the president before making such recommendations.

Kim urged Supreme Court justices to issue a statement denouncing Cho's actions, expressing confidence that the public would respond with significant anger.