South Korean President's Office Rejects Supreme Court Nominee, Seeks Re-nomination

The presidential office has announced its decision not to submit the appointment confirmation motion for Son Bong-ki, who was nominated as a successor to former Supreme Court Justice Roh Tae-hak. The office has instead requested Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to re-nominate a candidate for the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae had previously nominated Son Bong-ki, a presiding judge at the Daegu District Court, and Kim Seong-soo, a presiding judge at the Seoul High Court, to fill the vacancies left by Justices Roh Tae-hak and Lee Heung-gu. However, the presidential office expressed strong objections to Chief Justice Cho's decision to submit Son Bong-ki's nomination for Roh Tae-hak's vacancy without prior consultation.

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We have requested the Chief Justice to re-nominate a Supreme Court justice candidate.

This move has led to friction between the presidential office and the Supreme Court. The presidential office views the Chief Justice's action as bypassing established procedures and potentially undermining the appointment process. The ruling party has also voiced its opposition, demanding that Chief Justice Cho withdraw his nomination.

Sources indicate that the core of the dispute lies in the perceived lack of consultation. The presidential office typically engages in discussions with the Chief Justice regarding potential nominees before they are formally put forward. The unilateral submission of Son Bong-ki's name is seen by the presidential office and the ruling party as a procedural misstep, prompting their rejection of the nomination.

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Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae should voluntarily withdraw his nomination for Supreme Court justice. If he does not comply, we will take subsequent measures.