Kim Sanghwan Nominated as Constitutional Court Chief Justice, Oh Youngjun as Constitutional Court Justice, Lim Kwanghyun as National Tax Service Commissioner

President Lee Jaemyung has nominated Kim Sanghwan, former Supreme Court Justice, as the candidate for Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, and Oh Youngjun, Chief Judge, as the candidate for Constitutional Court Justice.

Kim Sanghwan, nominee for Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (from left), Oh Youngjun, nominee for Constitutional Court Justice, Lim Kwanghyun, nominee for Commissioner of the National Tax Service

Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, announced these appointments during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 26th.

Kang stated, "Kim Sanghwan is a former judge who has served as a Constitutional Research Officer at the Constitutional Court and as a Supreme Court Justice. He is widely recognized for his profound knowledge of constitutional and legal theory," adding, "He is the right person to bring greater insight to the Constitution, based on his deep understanding of our society."

Kang continued, "Oh Youngjun has served as a Supreme Court Judicial Research Officer, Chief Judicial Research Officer, Senior Judicial Research Officer, and Principal Judicial Research Officer. He is regarded as an outstanding judge within the judiciary and will add depth to the decisions of the Constitutional Court."

Lim Kwanghyun, a Democratic Party lawmaker, was appointed as the nominee for Commissioner of the National Tax Service, a position subject to a vice-ministerial-level confirmation hearing. Kang explained, "Lim has served as Commissioner of the Seoul Regional Tax Office and Deputy Commissioner of the National Tax Service. As a tax administration expert, he is expected to contribute to fair tax administration and the protection of taxpayers, leveraging his broader perspective gained through his work on the National Assembly’s Strategy and Finance Committee."

Kang stated, "These appointments are intended to put an end to the destabilization of the Constitutional Court, which had reached a dangerous level, and to further enhance public trust and independence in constitutional adjudication." He conveyed President Lee's remarks: "The great revolution of light created by our people is based solely on the spirit of the Constitution, and now these appointments will play a major role in better constitutional interpretation. The President expressed his hope that the aspirations of the people for change will make our Constitution even richer."