Lee Jae-myung Says Granting Supreme Court Justice Qualification to Non-Lawyers Is Premature... "Not My Position"

"Instructed Party Members to Exercise Restraint"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, stated on the 24th that granting Supreme Court justice qualifications to non-lawyers is premature, in response to a bill being promoted within the party that would allow non-lawyers to be appointed as Supreme Court justices.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is speaking at the 2nd candidate debate for the 21st presidential election hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, held on the 23rd at the KBS headquarters studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

After appearing on the live YouTube broadcast of K-Initiative TV's "First-Time Voters, Step Forward! Gen Z Ability Test" earlier that morning, Lee met with reporters and said, "This is neither the official position of the Democratic Party nor my own stance," adding, "It is merely an individual legislative proposal."

Lee also said, "I have already instructed party members this morning to exercise restraint," and emphasized, "Right now, overcoming the crisis of insurrection is more important."

Previously, Park Beomgye, the Democratic Party secretary of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, proposed an amendment to the Court Organization Act that would gradually increase the number of Supreme Court justices from the current 14 to a maximum of 30, and allow non-lawyers to be appointed as justices. Kim Yongmin, Jang Kyungtae, Park Kyuntaek, Park Jiweon, and Lee Seongyun were among the lawmakers who co-sponsored the bill.