Jang Dong-hyeok warns against presidential interference in Supreme Court appointments

Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, has issued a strong critique regarding the independence of the judiciary, specifically addressing controversies surrounding the appointment of Supreme Court justices.

Jang argued that attempts by the administration to influence the selection of justices constitute an unconstitutional interference with judicial independence. He emphasized that under the constitution, the authority to nominate justices rests solely with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, while the National Assembly holds the power of consent. He warned that if the President were to appoint justices based on personal preference to influence legal outcomes, it would signal the end of the rule of law and the onset of dictatorship.

Furthermore, Jang linked these judicial pressures to efforts to mitigate legal consequences for President Lee Jae-myung. He called upon the judiciary to defend its autonomy, stating that the collapse of judicial independence would lead to the death of democracy.