Seoul: South Korea will nominate Paik Jin-hyun, a former president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), as a candidate for the election for judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the foreign ministry announced Thursday. Paik, an honorary professor at Seoul National University, will participate in the election to fill five of the 15 seats on the judge panel at the The Hague-based U.N. organ, scheduled for late 2026.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Paik is recognized for his extensive expertise in international law and marks the first South Korean nominee for the ICJ judge election. A ministry official commented on Paik's qualifications, emphasizing his experience in international litigation and solid academic background, which make him a suitable candidate for the ICJ judge position.
Paik served as an ITLOS judge from 2009 to 2023 and held the position of president from 2017 to 2020. He remains the only South Korean member of the Institute of International Law. The ministry official highlighted South Korea's aspiration to contribute to international law, reflecting the nation's status and dignity, and expressed the necessity of eventual participation in the ICJ.
An ICJ judge is elected to a nine-year term by the U.N. General Assembly and the U.N. Security Council, requiring an absolute majority of votes in both bodies. Besides South Korea, seven other countries-Singapore, France, Britain, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Gambia-have declared candidates for the ICJ judge position, with the possibility of more nations joining the race.