청와대·대법원, ‘김민기 대법관 카드’ 평행선…고심 깊어진 조희대 대법원장

The Korean presidency has postponed its response to Chung Eui-yong's recommendation for a Supreme Court judge, leaving the two branches of government in a tense standoff. The administration has requested the administration to reconsider its shortlisted candidates, while the judiciary criticizes the infringement on the Chief Justice's prerogative.

With the 'Kim Min-ki card' hanging in the balance, a prolonged standoff is feared if both sides cannot reach an agreement. If the president rejects the Chief Justice's request, the subsequent procedure is unclear. The previous recommendation committee's shortlist included three candidates, but former Seoul High Court prosecutor Kim Min-ki is the only remaining candidate after excluding those with conflicts of interest.

The Chief Justice has firmly stated that appointing Kim is "absolutely not" an option, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to his spouse's appointment. This suggests the president may be selectively appointing judges to avoid controversy. With 22 of the 26 new positions to be filled by the current administration, the Chief Justice's decision could signal a shift in judicial appointments.

Some legal experts argue that the Chief Justice's independence and procedural integrity are being undermined, and propose reconstituting the recommendation committee to restart the process. However, this could lead to a prolonged vacancy, delaying important judicial proceedings. The deadlock between the two branches of government highlights the urgent need for a solution to prevent further delays in judicial proceedings.