Gov't legislation minister says Supreme Court chief justice required by Constitution to suggest new candidate

On Thursday, the head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, Cho Won-cheol, stated that the president is not obligated to appoint a Supreme Court justice merely based on the chief justice's recommendation. This assertion comes in the wake of a dispute between President Lee Jae Myung and Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, who have been at odds since Lee declined a justice candidate proposed by Cho.

The president's rejection prompted Lee to request Cho to submit a new candidate, emphasizing the lack of adequate consultation in the original proposal. However, Cho remained firm, contending that Lee's demand lacks constitutional backing and could potentially compromise the judiciary's independence. According to the Constitution, Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice, subject to approval by the National Assembly.

Legal experts remain divided on the correct interpretation of these constitutional provisions. During a Thursday statement, Government Legislation Minister Cho Won-cheol aligned with Lee, asserting that the president is not bound by the chief justice's recommendation and thus, is not compelled to appoint the recommended candidate.