President Lee Nominates Key Judges And Officials Today

On June 26, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung announced significant nominations that are set to reshape South Korea's Constitutional Court and key government agencies. Among the most notable appointments is Oh Young-jun, the Chief Judge of the Seoul High Court, who has been nominated as a candidate for Constitutional Court Justice. This nomination comes amid a backdrop of careful deliberation and controversy, particularly surrounding another candidate who withdrew due to conflict of interest concerns.

Oh Young-jun, aged 56 and a graduate of the 23rd class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, brings a wealth of experience to the table. His career includes serving as a senior researcher at the Supreme Court, and his current role as Chief Judge at the Seoul High Court marks him as a respected figure within the judiciary. According to Kang Hoon-sik, the Presidential Chief of Staff, Oh is expected to "add depth to the Constitutional Court's judgments," underscoring the administration's confidence in his legal acumen.

Alongside Oh, President Lee nominated Kim Sang-hwan as the candidate for Constitutional Court Chief Justice. Kim, a professor at Jeju National University, has an impressive background that includes roles as a Constitutional Court researcher and head of research, as well as chief judge of the 1st Civil Division at the Seoul Central District Court. Kang described Kim as "highly regarded for his profound understanding of constitutional and legal theories and his insight into constitutional interpretation based on a deep understanding of society," positioning him as an apt choice to lead the court.

These nominations come after a somewhat tumultuous selection process. Initially, three candidates were shortlisted for the Constitutional Court Justice position: Oh Young-jun, Kim Sang-hwan, and Lee Seung-yeop. Lee, a 53-year-old lawyer from the 27th Judicial Research and Training Institute class, had previously represented President Lee Jae-myung in cases involving public election law violations, false teaching credentials, and illegal remittances to North Korea. This connection sparked a 'conflict of interest' controversy that ultimately led to Lee Seung-yeop withdrawing his candidacy, citing feelings of inadequacy for the role.

This withdrawal caused a delay in the nomination process, but the Presidential Office moved swiftly to finalize the appointments. The ruling party confirmed that Lee stepped down voluntarily, with an official stating, "He felt inadequate and thus declined the position." This development cleared the way for Oh Young-jun's nomination to proceed unimpeded.

President Lee's nominations are not limited to the judiciary. Im Gwang-hyun, a Democratic Party lawmaker and tax administration expert, was named as the new candidate for National Tax Service Commissioner. Im's career includes serving as the head of the Seoul Regional Tax Office and deputy commissioner of the National Tax Service. Notably, this is the first time a sitting member of the National Assembly has been appointed to this position, marking a significant precedent in South Korean governance.

Beyond these key appointments, President Lee also announced several vice-ministerial appointments. Lee Doo-hee, commander of the Army Missile Strategic Command, was appointed Vice Minister of National Defense. In the health and welfare sector, Lee Seul-ran, who headed the Social Welfare Policy Office at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was named 1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare. Geum Han-seung, director of the National Institute of Environmental Science, was appointed Vice Minister of Environment, while Kwon Chang-joon, head of the Planning and Coordination Office at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, took the role of Vice Minister of Employment and Labor. Additionally, Nam Dong-il, a standing commissioner of the Fair Trade Commission, was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission.

The backdrop to these appointments includes earlier nominations made by former Acting President Han Deok-soo in April, who had proposed Lee Wan-gyu, former Minister of Justice, and Ham Sang-hoon, Chief Judge of the Seoul High Court, as candidates for Constitutional Court Justice. However, President Lee withdrew these nominations in May, stating that the acting president did not have the authority to make such appointments.

Currently, the Constitutional Court operates with seven justices: two progressives, three moderates, and two conservatives. With the confirmation of Oh Young-jun and another progressive-leaning judge, the court is expected to shift towards a progressive majority. This potential realignment could have significant implications for the court's future rulings and South Korea's legal landscape.

Kang Hoon-sik emphasized the administration's vision, highlighting the importance of these appointments in enhancing the court's interpretative depth and societal understanding. He noted that Kim Sang-hwan's expertise and Oh Young-jun's judicial experience would contribute substantially to the Constitutional Court's deliberations.

President Lee's decisive nominations underscore a strategic effort to strengthen the judiciary and key government bodies with experienced and respected figures. The appointments reflect a balance of legal scholarship, practical judicial experience, and political considerations amid ongoing debates about the court's composition and direction.

As the nominees await confirmation hearings by the National Assembly, all eyes will be on the process that could redefine the Constitutional Court's ideological balance and influence South Korea's constitutional jurisprudence for years to come.