Chief Justice Jo Hee-de said on the 6th that the court will make every necessary effort to restore the Supreme Court to full strength as soon as possible, in line with principles set out in the Constitution and the law.
Jo made the remarks at a parliamentary audit of the Supreme Court by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, saying the need to resolve the vacancy on the bench weighs heavily on him as well. He added that he was sorry that the prolonged vacancy had caused public concern.
Chief justices customarily deliver opening remarks at the annual audit and then leave, but Jo remained in the chamber after the committee, led by the Democratic Party, designated him as an ordinary witness and demanded that he testify. Jo declined to take an oath or give testimony, citing the separation of powers and the principle of judicial independence.
In January, the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee put forward four candidates to succeed former Justice Noh Tae-ak: Kim Min-ki and Park Soon-young, both appellate judges at the Seoul High Court; Yoon Sung-sik, a senior judge at the Seoul High Court; and Son Bong-gi, a senior judge at the Daegu District Court. The process stalled as the presidential office and the judiciary failed to narrow their differences over the final nominee. In August, Jo broke with precedent and nominated Son without an agreement with the presidential office. The presidential office then called for a renewed nomination, arguing that the process lacked procedural completeness, but Jo refused, demanding the reasons and the constitutional basis for the request. The dispute escalated into a direct confrontation.
Chief justices customarily deliver opening remarks at the audit and then leave, but Jo stayed after the committee, led by the Democratic Party, designated him as an ordinary witness and demanded his testimony. Jo declined to take an oath or testify, citing the separation of powers and judicial independence. Jo was also designated as an ordinary witness at last year's audit, over the ruling that reversed and remanded the case accusing President Lee Jae-myung of violating the Public Official Election Act. He had planned to leave after his opening remarks, as is customary, but could not do so because Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Choo Mi-ae did not grant him permission. He sat through a barrage of questions from Democratic Party lawmakers without responding and left during a morning recess.
