Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de said on the 22nd that he cannot comply with the presidential office's request to submit a new nomination for a Supreme Court justice.
Speaking to reporters, Jo said that "the president's acts under national law are carried out through documents countersigned by the prime minister and the relevant cabinet members." He said the only document related to the request was an Aug. 28 letter titled "Request for Renomination of Supreme Court Justice Candidate," which he said did not state the specific grounds for the request or its constitutional basis.
"I cannot find any other specific constitutional basis or reason to justify the renomination request," he added. "I hereby state that I cannot comply with the request."
Jo broke with the practice of nominating Supreme Court justice candidates only after reaching agreement with the presidential office, recommending candidate Son Bong-gi for appointment on the 18th of last month without such an agreement. Ten days later, on the 28th, the presidential office called the move "a unilateral written nomination made without substantive consultation" and demanded a new nomination.
