President Lee Nominates Key Judicial And Tax Officials

On June 26, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung made significant nominations that mark a pivotal step towards restoring stability and trust in South Korea's Constitutional Court. The President nominated Kim Sang-hwan, a former Supreme Court Justice, as the candidate for Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, and Oh Young-joon, the Chief Judge of the Seoul High Court, as a candidate for Constitutional Court Justice. Additionally, Im Gwang-hyeon, a Democratic Party member of the National Assembly, was nominated as the Commissioner of the National Tax Service. These appointments were announced during a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office by Kang Hoon-sik, the Presidential Chief of Staff.

Kim Sang-hwan, aged 59 and a graduate of Daejeon Bomun High School and Seoul National University Law School, is widely respected for his profound knowledge of constitutional law and legal theory. After passing the 30th Judicial Examination in 1988 and completing the 20th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, Kim embarked on a distinguished judicial career. He served as a judge at various courts, including the Busan District Court and Seoul Central District Court, and held senior positions such as Chief Judge of the 1st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court, Supreme Court Justice, and Head of Court Administration.

Kim's experience includes two stints as a researcher dispatched to the Constitutional Court, first in 2002 and again in 2008 as a research director. His judicial record is noted for impartiality and courage, handling high-profile cases without succumbing to political or public pressure. For instance, in 2011, as the head judge of the Seoul Central District Court’s civil division, he issued an arrest warrant for Shin Jae-min, a former deputy minister accused of accepting bribes. In 2015, as Chief Judge of the Seoul High Court, Kim overturned a lower court ruling by convicting former National Intelligence Service Director Won Sei-hoon of election law violations related to presidential election interference, sentencing him to three years in prison. He also made a notable decision in 2018 to dismiss an injunction against live broadcasting the sentencing of former President Park Geun-hye, a move that drew considerable attention.

After completing his Supreme Court Justice term in December 2024, Kim was appointed a distinguished professor at Jeju National University Law School earlier this year. His appointment as Constitutional Court Chief would be the first time in 12 years that a former Supreme Court Justice has led the Constitutional Court, following predecessors like Lee Kang-guk, Kim Yong-jun, and Yoon Young-chul. Kang Hoon-sik described Kim as "the right person to add insight to constitutional interpretation based on a deep understanding of society," emphasizing his reputation for deep legal expertise and societal insight.

Oh Young-joon, 56, also a graduate of Seoul High School and Seoul National University Law School, brings a wealth of experience to his nomination as Constitutional Court Justice. He has served as a judge in various capacities, including as a Supreme Court Judge Researcher, Chief Judge Researcher, Senior Judge Researcher, and Head Judge Researcher. Known within the judiciary as an outstanding judge, Oh is expected to deepen the Constitutional Court’s judgments. His background includes serving as Chief Judge of the Patent Court and as a senior researcher at the Supreme Court, underscoring a career marked by legal scholarship and judicial excellence.

The two positions Kim and Oh are nominated for became vacant in April 2025 after the terms of former Constitutional Court Chief Moon Hyung-bae and Justice Lee Mi-sun expired. The Presidential Office highlighted that these appointments signal the new government's commitment to ending the instability that had plagued the Constitutional Court, aiming to bolster public trust and the court’s independence. Kang Hoon-sik stated, "This is the first step in restoring the Constitutional Court, putting an end to the unsettling turbulence it faced and enhancing the people's trust and independence in constitutional adjudication." President Lee Jae-myung echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that "the great revolution created by the people is based solely on the spirit of the Constitution," and these appointments will play a significant role in "better constitutional interpretation," with hopes that the people's aspirations for change will enrich the Constitution.

Notably, lawyer Lee Seung-yeop, initially considered for a Constitutional Court Justice nomination, declined the offer amid controversy. Concerns had been raised about potential conflicts of interest due to his role as defense attorney in cases involving President Lee’s alleged violations of election laws, perjury charges, and illegal remittances to North Korea. The Presidential Office confirmed that Lee voluntarily withdrew from consideration to avoid further controversy.

Alongside the judicial appointments, President Lee nominated Im Gwang-hyeon as the Commissioner of the National Tax Service. Im, 56, hails from Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do, and graduated from Yonsei University’s Economics Department. He also completed the International Tax Program at Harvard Law School. A seasoned tax expert, Im passed the administrative examination and has held key positions including Chief of the Seoul Regional Tax Office and Deputy Commissioner of the National Tax Service.

Im was elected as a proportional representative in the April 2024 general election, making his nomination as National Tax Service Commissioner historically significant, as he would be the first sitting National Assembly member to assume this vice-ministerial position, which is subject to parliamentary personnel hearings. Kang noted Im’s expertise and broad perspective gained through his work on the National Assembly’s Planning and Finance Committee, expressing confidence that he will contribute to fair tax administration and taxpayer protection.

Other vice-ministerial appointments announced on June 26 include experienced internal officials in various ministries, such as the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Fair Trade Commission. These appointments reflect President Lee’s strategy of placing experts in appropriate roles to build an effective and professional government.

Kim Sang-hwan, upon receiving his nomination, expressed humility and a strong sense of responsibility. He stated, "It is a great honor to be given the opportunity to join the Constitutional Court's path, which guarantees the people's fundamental rights and upholds constitutional values. I will faithfully fulfill the hearing process with a heavy sense of responsibility." His combination of judicial experience, constitutional expertise, and administrative leadership positions him as a stabilizing force for the Constitutional Court during a time of increased social scrutiny and complex legal challenges.

These nominations come at a critical juncture for South Korea’s judiciary. The Constitutional Court has faced turbulence and public skepticism in recent years, and these appointments aim to restore its credibility and independence. By selecting individuals with deep legal expertise and a commitment to impartiality, President Lee’s administration is signaling a renewed dedication to upholding constitutional principles and strengthening the rule of law.

As the nation awaits the confirmation hearings and eventual appointments, the hope is that these leaders will guide the Constitutional Court and the National Tax Service through a period of renewal and reinforce public confidence in these vital institutions.