The Democratic Party of Korea decided not to hold the full meeting of The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee that had been scheduled for the afternoon on the 31st, following the death of Chief Justice Jo Hee-de's father.
Kim Seung-won, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker who serves as the ruling party's secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said that "the full committee meeting for questioning the Supreme Court on pending issues, which had been scheduled for today, will not be held due to Chief Justice Jo's bereavement."
The committee planned to hold an emergency session on pending issues this afternoon and call Chief Justice Jo as a witness to question him on matters including the circumstances of submitting written recommendations for Supreme Court justice nominees. However, citing judicial independence and the separation of powers, Chief Justice Jo submitted a written statement explaining his absence to the National Assembly on the 28th and said he would not attend. With his father's passing as well, appearing at the National Assembly today effectively became impossible.
Sharing the news of the full committee meeting's cancellation, Kim said, "I offer my deepest condolences for the deceased and extend profound sympathy to the bereaved family."
Meanwhile, as Kim has been nominated as candidate for Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a schedule was also set to elect a new secretary for the committee.
Kim said, "On the morning of the 1st, the subcommittee for reviewing budgets, settlements, and funds is scheduled, and at 4 p.m., the full committee meeting will be held," adding, "We plan to vote on items reviewed by the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts, and, if possible, proceed with electing the committee secretary and the chair of the first subcommittee on bill review."