National Assembly Passes Confirmation Motion for Supreme Court Justice Nominee Kim Sung-soo

The National Assembly has passed the motion to confirm Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo (57, 24th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute).

The National Assembly approved the confirmation motion for Kim through an electronic secret ballot during a plenary session today (September 17).

Of the 268 lawmakers present, 227 voted in favor, 28 opposed, and 13 abstained.

Under the Constitution, a motion to confirm a Supreme Court justice nominee passes if a majority of all incumbent members attend the plenary session and a majority of those present vote in favor.

On August 18, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended Kim to President Lee Jae-myung to succeed Supreme Court Justice Lee Heung-goo.

The parliamentary Special Committee on Confirmation Hearings held a confirmation hearing for Kim on September 14.

Then yesterday (September 16), the committee adopted the confirmation hearing report through bipartisan agreement.

The report contained both the Democratic Party of Korea's assessment deeming Kim qualified and the People Power Party's opinion finding him unqualified.

However, the People Power Party decided ahead of the plenary session to allow its lawmakers a free vote on the confirmation motion.

Once President Lee formally approves Kim's appointment, Kim will become the first Supreme Court justice to take office under the current administration.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.