A presidential office official said, "The Chief Justice's statement amounts to claiming that the Chief Justice's nomination power takes precedence over the President's appointment power, a view that violates the Constitution of the Republic of Korea." The official added, "Arguing that the President must appoint whomever the Chief Justice nominates as a Supreme Court justice candidate nullifies the appointment power of a president elected by the people."
The official also noted that "six months have passed since former Supreme Court Justice Noh Tae-ak retired," pointing out that "with each justice handling 3,500 to 4,600 cases a year, a single vacancy on the Supreme Court translates directly into an infringement of the people's right to a speedy trial." The official added, "The Chief Justice must face the fact that a prolonged vacancy on the Supreme Court harms the public, and should no longer leave the current situation unattended."
Earlier the same day, Chief Justice Jo told reporters that he "cannot find specific constitutional grounds or reasons to justify the renomination request" and that he "cannot comply with the renomination request." The remarks came 25 days after the presidential office requested the renomination on Aug. 28.
