Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae has submitted nomination requests for two new Supreme Court justices to President Lee Jae-myung.
The nominations seek to resolve a vacancy crisis that has left the nation's highest court shorthanded for nearly half a year. The delay in filling these seats raised concerns regarding the judiciary's ability to handle its caseload and the risk of further sequential vacancies.
Chief Justice Jo nominated Judge Son Bong-gi of the Daegu District Court and Judge Kim Sung-su of the Seoul High Court [1], [2]. The move follows a public apology from the Chief Justice regarding the prolonged vacancy period [1], [2].
The vacancy began five months ago after the retirement of former Justice Noh Tae-ak [1], [2]. This period of instability prompted the current push to restore the court to full capacity.
Judge Son Bong-gi began his judicial career in 1996 [1]. He previously served as the head of the Daegu District Court for two years from 2019 to 2021 [1].
Judge Kim Sung-su started his career in 1998 at the Gwangju District Court [1]. Both nominees currently serve as presiding judges in their respective courts.
If confirmed, the two judges will fill the gaps that have persisted since the spring. The nomination process now moves to the executive branch for final appointment by the president [1], [2].
“Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae has submitted nomination requests for two new Supreme Court justices to President Lee Jae-myung.”
The appointment of these two justices is a critical step in stabilizing the South Korean judiciary. A five-month vacancy in the Supreme Court can lead to significant delays in final rulings on high-profile legal disputes and creates a bottleneck in the appellate process. By selecting experienced presiding judges from both regional and high courts, the Chief Justice is attempting to restore institutional efficiency and public confidence in the court's administration.
