Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae told reporters Monday that he plans to set out his position on the nomination dispute during the National Assembly’s upcoming annual audit of the court. The audit is scheduled to begin Oct. 6.
The dispute intensified after the presidential office asked Cho last month to recommend a new Supreme Court justice candidate to President Lee Jae Myung. Cho refused last week, citing a lack of specific reasons or constitutional grounds for making a new recommendation.
Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office, quickly rebuked Cho and accused him of taking a position that violates the Constitution. Asked about the criticism on Sept. 28, Cho said he would explain his position through the parliamentary audit.
The dispute concerns the constitutional process for appointing Supreme Court justices. The Constitution says the president appoints justices on the chief justice’s recommendation and with the consent of the National Assembly. The audit will give Cho a public forum to explain why he considered the request for a new recommendation insufficiently grounded.