A top presidential aide said Monday that the chief justice’s written recommendation of two Supreme Court justice nominees without prior consultation may have infringed on the president’s appointment authority. Hong Ik-pyo made the remarks in a parliamentary session a week after Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended the nominees. Hong said the move was far from customary practice, while ruling and opposition lawmakers continued to clash over the chief justice’s authority.
Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo speaks during a meeting of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
A top presidential aide said Monday that the chief justice's recommendation of Supreme Court justice nominees without prior consultation may have infringed on the president's authority to appoint public officials.
Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, made the remarks during a parliamentary session, a week after Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended two sitting regional court judges for appointment as new Supreme Court justices by the president.
Cho, appointed by former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, made the recommendations in writing, without following the customary practice of making recommendations to the president in person after prior consultation on the nominees.
