Chief Justice Jo to issue formal statement next week after Cheong Wa Dae rejects Supreme Court justice nominee

Written nomination submitted 10 days ago — Cheong Wa Dae in effect rejects it

Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae said he will issue a formal statement next week after Cheong Wa Dae called for a re-nomination of a Supreme Court justice candidate.

Jo spoke briefly with reporters Friday evening as he left the Supreme Court building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, at around 6:11 p.m. Asked about his position on the re-nomination demand, he said he was "sorry to have caused concern to the public" and that he was "currently reviewing the details."

"If things are sorted out next week, I will make a formal announcement," he added. Asked whether he planned to reconvene the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee, Jo said he would address the matter "once things are sorted out next week."

Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday afternoon that it had called for a re-nomination. The move came 10 days after Jo submitted a written nomination of candidate Son as the successor to former Justice Noh Tae-ak on Aug. 18, with Cheong Wa Dae in effect rejecting the nomination.

The Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee, formed ahead of Justice Noh's retirement, had recommended four candidates on Jan. 21, but Cheong Wa Dae and the judiciary failed to reach agreement on a final candidate, leaving the nomination process stalled for more than six months.