(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae says asked chief justice to make new recommendation for Supreme Court justice

On August 28, the presidential office announced it would not nominate one of two candidates for a Supreme Court justice position, requesting Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to submit a new recommendation, reported Yonhap. The decision came after a presidential spokesperson accused Cho of infringing on the president's authority by deviating from the customary practice of recommending nominees following consultations.

Earlier in August, Cho suggested two regional court judges for appointment as Supreme Court justices. Kang Yu-jung, the spokesperson, said Cho's recommendation of one of them was incomplete and asked him to submit a fresh recommendation instead of forwarding the candidate to the National Assembly for approval. However, the office will refer the other nominee to the National Assembly for approval later in the day.

Cho had made his recommendations in writing without having a prior consultation with the president, which led to the current situation. Some argue that the tradition of prior consultations might have violated constitutional principles, potentially undermining the separation of powers.