SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Kim Min-seok, former prime minister and newly elected chief of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), on Wednesday urged Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to step down, taking issue with his written recommendation of two new Supreme Court justice nominees to the president the previous day.

"I believe it is right for Cho, the worst chief justice since the nation's liberation, to step down," Kim said at a party leadership meeting in the southeastern port city of Busan.

"How can a person in the position of chief justice commit such judicial misconduct with such a bare face and without any shame?" Kim said.

On Tuesday, Cho recommended Son Bong-kie of the Daegu District Court and Kim Sung-soo of the Seoul High Court to be appointed as new Supreme Court justices by the president.

Usually, the chief justice visits the president to make a face-to-face recommendation for a new Supreme Court justice after prior coordination. Cho is said to have instead notified the presidential office of his recommended nominees in writing.

Kim said, "The public has endured and given Cho the opportunity for an honorable retirement, but he has brought about a dishonorable retirement himself, just like (former Prime Minister) Han Duck-soo. Why is Cho trying to walk the path of an accomplice to insurrection like Han?"

"Cho's behavior is like that of a delinquent student who breaks a window and then begs to be expelled and allowed to stop studying," he said.

Kim said Cho violated the law through irregular means as soon as calls for his impeachment emerged recently, noting the chief justice has historically and customarily recommended new Supreme Court justices after consulting with the president.

He then urged Supreme Court justices to issue a statement saying that Cho was wrong, expressing confidence that the public would respond with tremendous anger.

ycm@yna.co.kr

(END)

  • BTS' V reveals hearing loss, Jungkook performs through shin injury on world tour
  • N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War
  • (2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
  • Ha Young says 'sincerely sorry' over great-grandfather's pro-Japanese past

  • Incheon airport ranks world's No. 1 in int'l passenger traffic in first half

  • BTS' V reveals hearing loss, Jungkook performs through shin injury on world tour

  • N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War
  • Trump signs memo permitting foreign shipbuilders to build up to 2 U.S. ships in their shipyards
  • (LEAD) Lee reiterates support for four-year, two-term presidential system

  • (2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program

  • Death penalty sought for woman accused of killing 2 men with laced drinks

  • (2nd LD) Lee reaffirms push to retake wartime operational control of troops during his term
  • (LEAD) Trump says N. Korea's Kim has responded to his dialogue overture
  • (LEAD) Seoul in close consultation with U.S. over combined military exercises: security adviser
  • (LEAD) USFK commander visits defense ministry after Trump's order to reduce joint exercise with S. Korea