Lee Jae-myung's Trial Referral Emerges as Key Issue at Kim Sung-soo Confirmation Hearing
At Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo's confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 14th, ruling and opposition lawmakers clashed over why President Lee Jae-myung's trial has been suspended and the controversy surrounding Chief Justice Jo Hee-de's written recommendation of justices.
Lawmakers from both parties first pressed the nominee on his stance over whether the president's criminal trial should resume. Yoon Yong-geun of the People Power Party, a member of the special committee on personnel hearings, asked whether he believes the criminal trial against defendant Lee should resume immediately. Nominee Kim replied that the trial was suspended after the court had completed its review of the relevant legal principles. When Rep. Chu Cheol-hyun of the Democratic Party pressed further, asking whether the constitutional provision that the president cannot be prosecuted means he cannot stand trial, Kim responded that there are indeed various theories on the matter.
The case in which Chief Justice Jo recommended a justice in writing and the presidential office demanded a re-recommendation also became a flashpoint. Democratic Party Rep. Park Ji-hye argued that the current situation arose from the chief justice's selective recommendation, asking whether established practice should simply be ignored. In rebuttal, People Power Party Rep. Kang Min-kuk claimed that a pattern is repeating in which only candidates who suit the presidential office and ruling party are approved, pressuring the chief justice into re-recommendations. Nominee Kim responded that the chief justice is taking all factors into consideration and deliberating carefully.
On the personal vetting front, questions were raised that the nominee had lived cheaply in his brother-in-law's luxury Gangnam apartment, effectively evading gift taxes. Kim apologized, saying he was sorry. On judicial reform legislation pushed by the ruling party, including the proposed crime of 'distorting the law,' he said he respects the legislative intent.
