Democratic Party of Korea Lawmaker Kim Seung-won, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, argued that the Cheong Wa Dae's request for the re-nomination of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae was valid and emphasized that one of the remaining three Supreme Court justice nominees should be re-nominated. Rep. Kim argued that Chief Justice Cho's absence from the Judiciary Committee's current issue inquiry citing the separation of powers as a reason is an unfounded excuse and that he must attend according to the National Assembly Witness Examination Act. Seo Young-kyo, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, also pointed out that Chief Justice Cho's ignoring the National Assembly was a serious problem and urged him to attend. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party, the Korea Economic Justice Party, and the Progressive Party jointly issued a statement urging Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to quickly re-nominate himself and resolve the vacancy of Supreme Court justices, stating that judicial independence is not a privilege to reject verification by the people and the National Assembly.
