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Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae faces impeachment calls over Supreme Court nominations
South Korean Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae is facing intense political pressure and calls for impeachment following his decision to nominate Supreme Court justices via written notice. The move broke the long-standing tradition of the Chief Justice meeting the President in person to present nominations, a gesture previously viewed as a mark of respect between constitutional institutions.
Cho nominated Son Bong-gi and Kim Seong-su to fill vacancies left by former justices. The Democratic Party has condemned the action as a “judicial coup” and “judicial malpractice,” arguing that the lack of prior consultation with the Blue House undermines the President's appointment authority. Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok has publicly demanded Cho's resignation, labeling him the worst Chief Justice since the nation's liberation.
The Court Administration Office defended the decision, stating that they had attempted to arrange a meeting with the Blue House but were unsuccessful, leaving the written nomination as the only remaining option. The controversy has stalled the appointment process and heightened tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch, with lawmakers in the National Assembly moving to summon Cho for questioning.
Entities
Blue House · Cho Hee-dae · Democratic Party of Korea · Kim Min-seok · Son Bong-gi · Supreme Court of Korea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's written nomination of Supreme Court justices without prior consultation with the Blue House provides additional grounds for impeachment. www.sportalkorea.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The written nomination breaks the established tradition where the Chief Justice meets the President in person to present nominations. www.sportalkorea.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.newstomato.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok described Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae as the worst Chief Justice since the nation's liberation and called for his resignation. www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae nominated Son Bong-gi and Kim Seong-su as candidates for Supreme Court justice. www.mbn.co.kr · www.newstomato.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae submitted the nominations for Son Bong-gi and Kim Seong-su via written notice instead of an in-person meeting with the President. www.mbn.co.kr · www.newstomato.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Court Administration Office stated that they attempted to arrange a meeting with the Blue House to reach an agreement but were unsuccessful. www.seoul.co.kr