The National Assembly launched its annual audit of government agencies Tuesday, with rival parties clashing over the Supreme Court chief's refusal to recommend a new justice nominee to the president and the recently publicized transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) from Ukraine. Eight of the Assembly's 17 standing committees opened their sessions starting at 10 a.m. on the first day of the audit, scheduled to run through Oct. 27. During the audit of the legislation and judiciary committee, lawmakers mainly wrangled over Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's refusal to recommend a new candidate for court justice as requested by the presidential office. Earlier in August, the presidential office asked Cho to recommend a new candidate after taking issue with his written recommendation of two Supreme Court justice nominees to President Lee Jae Myung. Cho rejected the request, citing a lack of constitutional grounds to do so. Under the Constitution, Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chief justice and with the consent of the Na