New Chief Justice Nominee Faces Media

New nominee for chief justice of the Constitutional Court Lee Kang-kook (61 years old) said on December 21, “I am conservative in the way of speaking, etiquette, and family background, but I am progressive in reform of social institutions.”

Lee said this while answering questions on his ideology at a press conference held in his law firm in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, in Seoul, at around 5:00 p.m. on December 21, the same day President Roh designated him as the next president of the Constitutional Court. He added, “It is dangerous to judge a person and fit him or her into just two categories; conservative or progressive.”

He spared words, saying, “There are a lot of steps left before being confirmed.” But he was quick to express a few comments, saying, “I am worried whether I can live up to the court’s legacy and expectations of the public in running the court. I know the gravity and responsibility involved. That is why I am worried.”

When the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that conscientious-objecting military draft dodgers were guilty in July, 2004, among 12 judges he was the only one who submitted a minority opinion that the dodgers might not be guilty. When he was asked about what he would do about it if he is approved chief, he answered, “My opinion on the issue was not supported in the Supreme Court. But in the Constitutional Court, I don’t know what will happen until justices deliberate on it.”

When he was asked about the fact that Bae, Kim & Lee, a law firm at which he works as a legal advisor, is defending the government in a constitutional petition filed against the private school law, he answered, “I heard the facts from the media. My law firm is so big an organization that I don’t know which department does what.”

He said, “I want to add something. I think the former chief nominee, Jeon Hyo-suk was hurt a lot during the dispute surrounding her approval. I feel sorry for her.”

President Roh designated Lee as both a Constitutional Court judge and the Constitutional Court chief justice to fend off the same dispute surrounding Chon from recurring. In regard to Chon, politicians raised issues with her credentials as chief justice because she resigned as the constitutional court judge before being appointed as the chief. Cheong Wa Dae is planning to seek a motion to confirm Lee as the chief justice in the National Assembly early next week.

The passage of the motion after a confirmation hearing is unlikely to be an uphill battle because both the ruling and opposition parties tend to accept his nomination.