Seoul: The National Assembly has successfully passed the confirmation motion for Kim Sang-hwan as the Constitutional Court's chief justice, filling a leadership gap that has persisted for several months. The decision was made during a plenary session where Kim, a former Supreme Court justice, was endorsed with a 206-49 vote, alongside nine abstentions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's nomination comes after President Lee Jae Myung selected him to replace the acting court chief, Moon Hyung-bae, who retired in April. Kim is set to serve a six-year term once his appointment is finalized. Despite the endorsement, the confirmation process was not without controversy. During his hearing, opposition lawmakers raised concerns over Kim's previous court rulings that were favorable to President Lee, particularly a 2020 election law violation case. Allegations also surfaced regarding Kim's use of insider information for personal gain through real estate investments.
In addition to the confirmation, the Assembly passed two significant agricultural bills. These bills aim to enhance disaster relief and insurance coverage for farmers and fishers, addressing issues left unresolved by the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The amended Act on the Prevention of and Countermeasures against Agricultural and Fishery Disasters now recognizes extreme heat and earthquakes as agricultural disasters. Meanwhile, the revised Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act broadens coverage to include crop diseases and pest damage.