Chief Justice Jo Hee-de's father, Cho Bu-hwan, died on the 30th at age 93.
A Supreme Court official said on the 31st that Chief Justice Jo wanted to hold a quiet funeral with family and would decline outside condolences. The mortuary has been set up at a funeral hall in Pohang, North Gyeongsang. The funeral is on Sept. 1.
Earlier, Chief Justice Jo sparked conflict with the Blue House and the ruling camp by "submitting in writing" a recommendation of a Supreme Court justice candidate to President Lee Jae-myung. The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee moved that day to summon Chief Justice Jo and National Court Administration Director No Kyung-pil to ask about the circumstances of the written recommendation.
However, on the 28th Chief Justice Jo conveyed to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee that he would not appear. In a written statement explaining his absence, Chief Justice Jo said, "The right to recommend Supreme Court justices is an independent power constitutionally granted to the chief justice," adding, "Requiring testimony in the National Assembly on this could undermine the values of separation of powers and judicial independence, and it does not align with the purpose of Article 121 of the National Assembly Act, which does not impose a duty to attend and answer questions in the National Assembly."
Chief Justice Jo was scheduled this week to state a position on President Lee's request to re-recommend a Supreme Court justice. The schedule appears likely to be delayed somewhat due to his father's death.