Chief Justice Skips Armed Forces Day Ceremony, Citing Health

Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de did not attend the Armed Forces Day ceremony on the 1st.

Jo skipped the 78th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province that day and reported to the Supreme Court building instead. He had attended the ceremonies in 2024 and 2025. The court said he was unable to attend this year's event for health reasons.

The chief justice, one of the three top state officeholders, normally attends the Armed Forces Day ceremony. Jo attended the ceremonies in both 2024 and 2025.

"He had planned to attend this year as well but could not because he was unwell," a court official said.

Some observers suggest the friction with the presidential office over the nomination of a Supreme Court justice may have played a role. After failing to reach agreement with the presidential office on a candidate, Jo broke with precedent in August and recommended Son Bong-gi for appointment. The presidential office asked him to submit a new recommendation, saying the written nomination had been made without substantive consultation. Jo countered that he could not comply with the request for a new recommendation, and the standoff has continued.