Seoul presidential office slams top judge's 'unilateral' court nomination

South Korea's presidential office has strongly criticized Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's nomination of Judge Son Bong-ki to the Supreme Court, citing a lack of prior consultation and describing the move as an unprecedented affront to the president's appointment powers.

Presidential Office spokesperson Seong Gi-hong stated that the nomination process, which bypassed discussions with President Lee Jae-myung, was a "very grave matter" and "unprecedented in constitutional history." The office is reportedly giving serious consideration to rejecting Son's nomination. Seong emphasized that the Chief Justice's action disregarded established precedents and practices since 1987, which typically involve consultation between the judiciary and the executive branch regarding high-level judicial appointments.

Seong also refuted claims made by the Court Administration chief, Noh Kyung-pil, that discussions about the nomination had occurred. Seong asserted that while general matters related to Supreme Court nominations might have been discussed, there was no specific consultation regarding the method or the candidate for this particular appointment. The presidential office maintains that they were only verbally informed of the intent to nominate Son and another judge, with Son's nomination proceeding without prior coordination.

The presidential office stressed the importance of respecting the president's appointment authority and ensuring a transparent and credible selection process. They suggested that instead of shortening judicial terms, reforms should focus on preventing the appointment of politically connected individuals and prioritizing merit. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch regarding judicial appointments in South Korea.