대법관 제청 철회 요구에…법원행정처장 “대법원장이 결정할 문제”

The ruling party and opposition clashed at the National Assembly's Budget and Audit Special Committee on May 25th over the suitability of former Supreme Court Chairman Yoo Hye-deok's letter of rejection for the dismissal of Supreme Court candidates and Democratic Party Chairwoman Jeon Joon-hyuk's demand for her resignation. Jeon Jin-cheol, a Democratic Party lawmaker, asked Justice Ministry Secretary General Lee Kang-il, "If there is no mutual consultation or consensus between the president and the Supreme Court Chairman, appointing a new chairman based on a one-sided letter of rejection would be akin to 'letting it go at that'."

Jeon also inquired, "Is there a reason to rescind that document and start the reconsideration now?" Justice Ministry Secretary General Lee responded, "The final decision on whether to rescind the letter is up to the Supreme Court Chairman." National Assemblyman Yang Un-gyun, from the People's Power party, asked Lee about the term 'Chairwoman Yoo' used by Democratic Party President Kim Min-seok to dismiss the Supreme Court Chairman and requested Lee's thoughts on the matter.

Lee stated, "It seems inappropriate to address the head of the Judicial Service Agency in that manner." Democratic Party lawmaker Han Byung-do emphasized during a closed-door meeting that the government's attempt to pressure the panel into a specific recommendation and then starting the recommendation process anew with a different candidate raises reasonable doubts.

He stated, "The Democratic Party will not tolerate any attempt to manipulate the appointment of Supreme Court justices to fit their own preferences."