The National Assembly's Special Committee on Confirmation Hearings for the Appointment of Supreme Court Justice (chaired by Kim Do-eup) adopted a confirmation hearing report on Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo today (September 16).

The special committee approved the motion to adopt the confirmation hearing report by bipartisan agreement at a plenary meeting held this morning.

Through the confirmation hearing on September 14, the ruling and opposition parties scrutinized nominee Kim's views and professional competence regarding current judicial reform issues under the current administration, including the right to recommend Supreme Court justices, President Lee Jae-myung's Public Official Election Act trial, presidential immunity from criminal prosecution while in office, the crime of distorting the law, and constitutional complaints against court rulings. The report reflected contrasting evaluations of Kim from the rival parties.

The report included a favorable opinion from the Democratic Party of Korea, which stated that Kim demonstrated an understanding of the political neutrality and judicial independence required of a Supreme Court justice through sincere and prudent answers, adding that he "possesses sufficient qualifications and abilities as a Supreme Court justice and will be able to perform the duties without issues while safeguarding judicial independence and fairness."

At the same time, the report also included the People Power Party's dissenting opinion, which raised questions about his qualifications, competence, political neutrality, and judicial independence, stating, "Although a Supreme Court justice must play a role in mediating social conflicts and establishing the rule of law through the interpretation of the Constitution and laws, the nominee's answers on key constitutional and social issues were neither specific nor clear."

Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung submitted the motion for Kim's appointment consent to the National Assembly on August 31.

Having completed the confirmation hearing, nominee Kim will be appointed as a Supreme Court justice following a confirmation vote at a plenary session of the National Assembly.

A motion for appointment consent of a Supreme Court justice requires the presence of a majority of all registered lawmakers and the approval of a majority of the lawmakers present at the plenary session to pass.

The appointment consent motion is expected to be tabled at tomorrow's (September 17) plenary session.

(Photo: Yonhap News)