A top presidential aide said Monday that the chief justice's recommendation of Supreme Court justice nominees without prior consultation may have infringed on the president's authority to appoint public officials. Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, made the remarks during a parliamentary session, a week after Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended two sitting regional court judges for appointment as new Supreme Court justices by the president. Cho, appointed by former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, made the recommendations in writing, without following the customary practice of making recommendations to the president in person after prior consultation on the nominees. "I share the view that the president's appointment authority has been infringed on to a certain extent," the presidential secretary said after being asked about the issue by Rep. Cho Bae-sook of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). Asked whether the recommendations were legally wrong, Hong responded, "Legal issues should be (determined) after looking into the procedures,