Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae has narrowed the list of candidates to four for the upcoming vacancy on the South Korean Supreme Court [1].
The move aims to minimize judicial gaps and maintain the rule of law by streamlining the appointment process for two critical seats. A prolonged vacancy in the nation's highest court can delay landmark rulings and strain the judicial administration.
Justice Lee Heung-gu is scheduled to retire on Sept. 7 [2]. The four shortlisted candidates include Kim Moon-kwan, the chief judge of the Busan District Court; Kim Seong-soo, a presiding judge at the Seoul High Court; Kim Ye-young, a presiding judge at the Seoul Southern District Court; and Kim Jung-joong, a presiding judge at the Gwangju District Court [1].
Cho said that he may nominate a successor for Justice Lee and a replacement for former Justice Noh Tae-ak at the same time [2]. Justice Noh retired approximately five months ago [1], leaving a seat vacant since March 2026 [2].
Cho said, "I will do my best by combining them."
Legal analysts said that a joint nomination process would be the most efficient path forward. The strategy allows the court to resolve multiple vacancies in a single administrative cycle rather than conducting separate, staggered appointments.
The final selection will depend on the chief justice's evaluation of the candidates' qualifications and their ability to uphold judicial independence. The court's priority remains the swift restoration of its full bench to ensure the consistent application of the law across the country.
“"I will do my best by combining them."”
The decision to potentially bundle these nominations suggests an urgency to restore the Supreme Court's full capacity. By filling the seat left by Justice Noh, which has been empty for nearly five months, alongside Justice Lee's upcoming retirement, the judiciary seeks to prevent a backlog of cases and ensure the court remains fully operational and representative.
