Supreme Court Begins Selection Process for Successors to Justices Jo Jaeyeon and Park Jeonghwa

The Supreme Court has begun the process of selecting successors for Justices Jo Jae-yeon and Park Jung-hwa, who will retire on July 18.

The Supreme Court announced on the 31st that it will accept nominations for candidates to succeed the two justices from July 4 to 14.

Anyone aged 45 or older with over 20 years of experience as a judge, prosecutor, or lawyer is eligible to be nominated as a Supreme Court justice. The qualifications for successor justices, nomination procedures, and nomination form templates will be announced on the court’s website.

After the nomination period ends, the Supreme Court will disclose the list of nominees who have consented to the review, along with their educational background, major career history, assets, military service, and other information, and will collect public opinions. Then, the Supreme Court Justice Recommendation Committee will review the nominees and recommend at least three candidates deemed suitable as Supreme Court justice nominees. Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su will select two from among them and submit the appointment recommendations to President Yoon Seok-yeol.

The Supreme Court Justice Recommendation Committee consists of Senior Justice Ahn Cheol-sang, Kim Sang-hwan, Director of the Court Administration Office (Supreme Court justice), Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, Kim Young-hoon, President of the Korean Bar Association, Cho Hong-sik, President of the Korean Association of Law Professors, Lee Sang-kyung, Chairman of the Council of Law Schools, one judge, and three external legal professionals (including at least one woman). The Supreme Court will receive recommendations for the three external members from July 4 to 10.

Justices Jo Jae-yeon and Park Jung-hwa were the first Supreme Court justices appointed by former President Moon Jae-in in 2017. When President Yoon appoints their successors, the number of justices replaced during the Yoon Seok-yeol administration will total three, including Justice Oh Seok-jun.