Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae refuses to testify at National Assembly audit

Supreme Court audit judicial appointment dispute separation of powers Cho Hee-dae National Assembly

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae has entered a standoff with the National Assembly during the annual parliamentary audit. While attending the audit in his capacity as head of the judicial branch, Cho refused to take an oath as a general witness or provide testimony regarding the recent dispute over Supreme Court justice nominations.

Cho argued that compelling testimony on the exercise of constitutional nomination powers violates the principle of the separation of powers. He further stated that disclosing sensitive details of consultations with the presidency regarding judicial appointments would be inappropriate. He also cited Article 121 of the National Assembly Act to argue he is not obligated to answer questions in this capacity.

The conflict stems from a prolonged vacancy in the Supreme Court, which has lasted over 200 days. This was triggered when the presidential office rejected Cho’s initial nominee and requested a new recommendation, citing a lack of procedural completeness. Cho has maintained that the presidential office's request lacked clear constitutional grounds and specific reasons.

Members of the Democratic Party have criticized Cho’s refusal, labeling it an attempt to evade legislative oversight and suggesting potential legal consequences under the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly. Conversely, the People Power Party has defended the tradition of the Chief Justice providing only opening remarks and has argued that the responsibility for the appointment delay lies with the executive branch.

Entities

Cho Hee-dae · Democratic Party of Korea · Legislation and Judiciary Committee · National Assembly · National Assembly of South Korea · People Power Party · Supreme Court of Korea · Supreme Court of South Korea

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Publicly disclosing sensitive details of consultations with the president regarding judicial appointments is inappropriate. world-today-journal.com · www.nouvelles-du-monde.com · www.imaeil.com · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] Vacancies for Supreme Court justices have persisted for over 200 days due to disputes over nominations. www.seoul.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com
[● 11 SOURCES] Chief Justice Cho cited Article 121 of the National Assembly Act to argue he is not obligated to attend and answer questions. world-today-journal.com · www.womennews.co.kr · www.sportalkorea.com · www.imaeil.com · www.nouvelles-du-monde.com · +3 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee designated Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae as a general witness for the Supreme Court audit. world-today-journal.com · www.imaeil.com
[● 11 SOURCES] Compelling testimony on the exercise of constitutional nomination powers violates the separation of powers. world-today-journal.com · www.imaeil.com · www.womennews.co.kr · www.sportalkorea.com · www.nouvelles-du-monde.com · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Failure to appear as a witness without a justifiable reason is subject to criminal punishment under the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly.
[● 4 SOURCES] Cho refused to take an oath as a witness during the parliamentary audit. www.sportalkorea.com · www.hani.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 4 SOURCES] The presidential office requested a new recommendation for a Supreme Court justice in August. www.womennews.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com