Opposition lawmakers: Reject Son Bong-ki nomination, Cho Hee-dae ignored president's appointment power

Lawmakers from the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the Progressive Party have jointly urged the presidential office to reject the nomination of Son Bong-ki, a judge at the Daegu District Court, as a Supreme Court justice. They argue that Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's recommendation of Son, bypassing normal consultation processes, would set a detrimental precedent.

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If we accept the nomination of Son Bong-ki, which was not preceded by normal consultation and procedures, it will leave another wrong precedent. The presidential office must review all means permitted by the constitution and laws to protect the president's legitimate appointment power.

The opposition bloc contends that Cho Hee-dae has shown respect for the appointment powers of former President Yoon Suk-yeol while disregarding those of the current President Lee Jae-myung. They specifically point to Cho's nomination process for Son Bong-ki as a unilateral action, labeling it a "double standard."

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Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae respected President Yoon's appointment power but ignored President Lee's. Both Son Bong-ki and the written recommendation were unilateral actions. It is a 희대의 이중잣대 (unprecedented double standard).

According to the lawmakers, Cho Hee-dae recommended Supreme Court justice candidates to former President Yoon Suk-yeol three times, with each process averaging 11 days and including personal meetings. However, they claim Cho's approach changed drastically after President Lee Jae-myung took office, with the process for Son Bong-ki taking 209 days. They also allege that the court administration, while notifying the presidential office of Son's nomination, subsequently sent an official document for a "written recommendation," attempting to shift blame to the presidential office by citing a lack of meeting opportunities.

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The Supreme Court informed the Blue House of Son Bong-ki's nomination at noon on the 18th, without any agreement with the President, and then sent an official document for 'written recommendation' that afternoon. However, the Court Administration stated, 'There was no opportunity to meet the President' and 'We consulted with the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs,' acting as if they were the victim and shifting responsibility to the Blue House.

The opposition further raised suspicions about Court Administration Chief Roh Kyung-pil allegedly pressuring other candidates, including Seoul High Court Judge Kim Min-ki, to withdraw their nominations. They assert that such actions would not have occurred without the Chief Justice's directive. The lawmakers demanded Cho Hee-dae's immediate resignation, accusing him of undermining democracy and warning him that his actions would face public judgment.

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Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, we warn you one last time. A legal technician will surely be judged by the people. Do not destroy democracy any further like Yoon Suk-yeol.