Ruling Party Demands Court Administration Agency Abolition; Blue House Considers Rejecting Chief Justice's Nomination

South Korea's ruling party is escalating its push for judicial reform, advocating for the abolition of the powerful Court Administration Agency and its reduction to a simpler Court Affairs Office. This move follows strong criticism of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's recent recommendation of Judge Son Bong-ki as a successor to a retired Supreme Court justice, a process the party claims bypassed necessary consultations with the President.

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There is a need to abolish the Court Administration Agency.

Members of the ruling party's judicial committee have voiced strong opinions, with some suggesting the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. They argue that his recommendation of Judge Son, made via written submission without meeting President Lee Jae-myung, constitutes a violation of the constitution and laws. The party is reviving its "Judicial Reform 3 Acts," previously put on hold, to push for these changes, signaling a confrontational stance towards the judiciary.

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If the Chief Justice acts unconstitutionally and illegally, the only way to change it besides an investigation is impeachment by the National Assembly.

The Presidential Office, known as the Blue House, has described the situation as "unprecedented in constitutional history." Senior presidential secretary Sung Ki-hong criticized the Chief Justice's unilateral notification, calling it a "very serious matter." The Blue House also refuted claims by the head of the Court Administration Agency that the written recommendation method was agreed upon with the presidential office's civil affairs secretary, stating "it is not true at all."

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It is an unprecedented situation in constitutional history.

Given the controversy, the Blue House is actively considering rejecting Chief Justice Cho's recommendation and demanding a new one. A presidential office official stated that the situation cannot be overlooked, especially as this is the first Supreme Court justice appointment under the current administration. They emphasized that setting a precedent of automatically appointing a recommended candidate without prior consultation would be problematic. Legal experts have also weighed in, with Professor Kim Sun-taek of Korea University Law School calling the Chief Justice's written recommendation an act that "practically disregards the constitution."

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The Chief Justice's written recommendation practically disregards the constitution.