Lawmakers are set to debate a Supreme Court appointment dispute and Ukraine’s transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul.
South Korea’s National Assembly begins its annual audit of government agencies on Tuesday. Eight of its 17 standing committees are scheduled to meet on the opening day. The audit will run through October 27, Yonhap reported.
Debate is expected in the legislation and judiciary committee over Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s refusal to recommend a candidate for a vacant justice post at the request of the presidential office. In August, the office sought a new nominee after objecting to Cho’s written recommendations for two candidates. Cho declined, citing a lack of constitutional grounds. Under South Korea’s Constitution, Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly and on the chief justice’s recommendation.
The foreign affairs and unification committee is expected to examine the transfer to Seoul of two North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer last month. South Korea said it had not agreed to the move and accused Kyiv of breaking a confidentiality arrangement. Ukraine has denied that such an agreement existed.
Lawmakers are also expected to scrutinize explosions of North Korean-laid land mines inside the Demilitarized Zone that injured three South Korean soldiers, according to the report. Cho had said he would clarify his position during the audit, although he has filed notice that he will not attend as a witness.