The presidential office said on the 6th that it had "no separate position" on remarks by Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de, who told a parliamentary audit that the procedure for nominating Supreme Court justices was not a matter for the presidential office or the National Assembly to be involved in.
Kang Yu-jung, senior presidential spokesperson, was asked about Jo's comments during a question-and-answer session following a briefing on a closed-door Cabinet meeting at the presidential office. "I understand that was an answer given during a question-and-answer session in the course of the parliamentary audit," Kang said. "I understand various positions and opinions will be exchanged in the National Assembly, and the presidential office has no separate position." Kang added, "We have already stated our position on the nomination and appointment of Supreme Court justices. You may refer to that position."
The presidential office also maintained its existing stance on the prolonged vacancies on the Supreme Court bench. Asked whether separate communication was under way between the presidential office and the Supreme Court to resolve the issue, Kang said, "Let me state once again the position we have already made clear." She added, "The presidential office is taking every measure in the follow-up procedures so that there is no obstacle to citizens fully exercising their right to seek a trial."
"We also hope the chief justice will respect the recommendations of the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee and proceed with the nomination process as swiftly as possible, so that citizens' right to receive a trial is not infringed upon by prolonged vacancies on the bench," she said, reiterating that "nothing has changed from our existing position."
The presidential office also refrained from further response after Jo explained at the audit that "there is no constitutional basis for a nomination consultation procedure between the Supreme Court and the presidential office," and said there was no problem with submitting nominations in writing. Asked additional questions on the matter, Kang said, "We have no separate position," and stressed again, "We have already released a detailed statement on this, so please refer to it."
