{
  "id": 12568763,
  "title": "Lee, chief justice must end stalemate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/lee-chief-justice-must-end-stalemate",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T07:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/editorial/20261007/ed-lee-chief-justice-must-end-stalemate"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Tuesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae addressed the recent request from President Lee Jae Myung to recommend an additional justice nominee. In response to this request, Cho firmly stated that the president lacks the authority to influence the recommendation process. During the National Assembly's audit of the Supreme Court, Cho chose to present a prepared statement rather than appearing under oath. The chief justice emphasized the importance of maintaining the separation of powers and judicial independence, asserting that the National Assembly and the president have no role to play in the chief justice's recommendation.\n\nDuring the Tuesday audit, Cho provided a rare opportunity for lawmakers to directly question him. He also appeared at the audit the previous year, but did not contribute any statements or respond to inquiries. In accordance with customary practices, previous chief justices had only delivered prepared statements to the National Assembly, with the minister of National Court Administration subsequently responding to questions, all in the spirit of respect.",
  "summary": "Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae broke his silence on President Lee Jae Myung's recent request that he recommend another justice nominee by saying that the president has no authority to interfere in the recommendation process. At the National Assembly audit of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Cho cited the separation of powers and judicial independence when he initially refused to testify…",
  "key_points": [
    "President Lee Jae Myung requested an additional justice nominee recommendation.",
    "Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae firmly stated the president lacks authority in the process.",
    "Cho chose to present a prepared statement during the National Assembly's audit."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Lee, chief justice must end stalemate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/lee-chief-justice-must-end-stalemate-12572438",
        "published": "2026-10-07T07:27:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}