Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung is contemplating the nomination of two senior judges and a lawyer who previously served as his defense counsel for two vacant positions on the Constitutional Court, according to officials with knowledge of the situation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Presiding Judge Oh Young-joon and Judge Wi Kwang-ha, both of the Seoul High Court, are being evaluated for nomination. Additionally, Lee Seung-yeop, a lawyer with a background as a judge, is among the potential candidates. An official confirmed, "It is true that they are subject to the nomination review, and we're listening to various opinions about them."
The potential nomination of Lee Seung-yeop has sparked debate due to his past role as the president's defense lawyer in trials involving allegations of election violations and unauthorized remittances to North Korea, which have been paused due to presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.
The opposition People Power Party (PPP) has criticized the possible nomination of Lee Seung-yeop, arguing it could undermine the judiciary's independence. PPP spokesperson Seo Ji-young expressed concerns that the move could transform the judiciary into a "private law firm" and urged the administration to halt any appointments that might reinforce public distrust.
In response, a presidential official dismissed the conflict of interest concerns, questioning, "Does it mean anyone who worked on the president's cases can't take a public job? Or what exactly is the conflict?"
The nominations aim to replace two justices who retired in April. Earlier, President Lee withdrew the nominations made by former acting leader Han Duck-soo, citing overreach of authority, following the leadership vacuum after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law imposition.