Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee Cho Hee-dae: "I Have Never Leaned Left or Right and Have Walked the Middle Path"

Candidate Cho: "I am not fit for this heavy responsibility... I feel like refusing thousands or tens of thousands of times"

Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee Cho Hee-dae stated, "Throughout my career as a judge, I have strived to walk the middle path without leaning to the left or right."

Former Supreme Court Justice Cho Hee-dae, nominated as a candidate for Chief Justice, is responding to reporters' questions as he enters the Supreme Court building on the 9th for a meeting with the justices. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan

On the 9th, before paying a courtesy visit to Acting Chief Justice Ahn Cheol-sang, Cho addressed reporters regarding concerns that he might lean towards a conservative stance.

Cho said, "There is a saying, '무유정법 (無有定法),' which means there is no fixed law, and that is the true law. In my inaugural speech as a Supreme Court Justice, I also said that our eyes do not discriminate left or right. There is no need to worry," he emphasized.

Regarding the criticism that he may not complete the full six-year term even if appointed Chief Justice, he responded, "The length of the term is not the issue; even if I serve for just one day, I will wholeheartedly and sincerely uphold the Constitution."

When asked about initially declining and then accepting the nomination to become Chief Justice, he said, "I consider myself insufficient for such a heavy responsibility," adding, "It is not just once, but I feel like declining thousands or tens of thousands of times."

On the judiciary's top priority, he stated, "I am fearful and trembling, worried that the judiciary, as well as our country and its people, might be harmed. If given the opportunity, I will candidly discuss with the judiciary members at that time."

Justice Cho is well known as a 'principled jurist.' Born in Wolseong, Gyeongbuk, he graduated from Gyeongbuk High School and Seoul National University Law School, passed the 23rd Judicial Examination, and began his public service career. Starting as a judge at the Seoul Criminal District Court in 1986, he has extensive experience in both adjudication and judicial administration, having served as a Supreme Court Research Judge, Judicial Research and Training Institute professor, Chief Judge of the Seoul District Court, Chief Judge of the Seoul High Court, and Chief Judge of the Daegu District Court (concurrently serving as Chief Judge of the Daegu Family Court).

Cho is classified as a conservative principled jurist. After Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo's inauguration, when the judiciary shifted towards progressivism, Cho issued several dissenting opinions, earning him the nickname 'Mr. Dissent.' However, legal circles generally agree that his rulings are based on principles rather than ideological leanings.

Within the court, he is known as a 'Yeongnam scholar' and is regarded as someone who treats research judges gently and does not heavily interfere with their work.

However, even if Cho is appointed Chief Justice, he will not be able to complete the full six-year term due to the mandatory retirement age regulation for Chief Justices (age 70).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.