Supreme Court nominee Kim Seong-soo expressed his commitment to fulfilling the judiciary's role in protecting citizens' rights amid rapid societal changes.
During his opening remarks at a confirmation hearing held on September 14 at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Kim stated, "If appointed as a Supreme Court Justice with the National Assembly's consent, I will strive to ensure that the judiciary adapts to the changing times while closely observing these shifts." He emphasized his intention to approach cases with a mindset of 'fairness and impartiality,' guided solely by the Constitution, laws, and his conscience as a judge.
Kim noted, "Before entering the courtroom, I look in the mirror to remind myself that the outcome of each case impacts the parties involved, society, and the nation. I reflect on the importance of being cautious and attentive, which I express through the concept of 'empathy'—considering the perspectives of all parties, including plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers, and victims."
Drawing on his experience as a chief professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, Kim proposed measures to enhance judicial capabilities. He stated, "We need to strengthen judicial training to improve judges' skills and ensure they clearly understand the public's expectations. This is essential to meet the contemporary demand for swift and fair trials."
Among the notable cases he recalled was one that restored the rights of marginalized neighbors. He mentioned the Guro-dong farmland case, where a group of farmers, who had their land taken away due to coercive investigations after receiving land through post-colonial land reform, successfully regained their property rights after decades through a retrial. He also referred to a case involving a victim who died while in confinement, where he acknowledged the need for severe punishment despite a settlement with the victim's family, resulting in a heavier sentence than the original ruling.
Kim explained, "Through these rulings, I aimed to safeguard the constitutional freedoms and rights of citizens who find it difficult to voice their concerns."
Before the hearing commenced, Kim also addressed recent controversies surrounding allegations of undervalued rent and gift tax evasion related to an apartment owned by his brother-in-law in the affluent Dogok-dong area of Gangnam, Seoul. He apologized, saying, "I sincerely regret causing concern to the committee members and the public due to my oversight before the hearing began. As I prepared for this hearing, I reflected on my entire life and will use this as an opportunity to examine my conduct and words with an objective perspective moving forward," bowing his head in humility.
Born in 1968 in Hampyeong, Jeonnam, Kim graduated from Gwangju Inseong High School and Hanyang University with a degree in law. He began his judicial career in 1998 as a judge at the Gwangju District Court. Over nearly 28 years, he has gained extensive experience in trials and judicial administration, serving in various roles, including at rural courts, as an ethics auditor at the Supreme Court Administrative Office, chief judge at the Cheongju District Court, presiding judge at the Seoul High Court, and chief professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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