Supreme Court nominee grilled over political orientation

Supreme Court Chief nominee Kim Meong-su came under intense parliamentary scrutiny over his political orientation and job credentials Tuesday, with the ruling party scrambling to shield him from scathing opposition attacks.

During his confirmation hearing, conservative parties cast Kim as another “liberal-leaning” addition to the top court, raising doubts over his political neutrality, while the Democratic Party (DP) pitched him as a figure well suited to spearhead judicial reform.

The hearing came just a day after the National Assembly voted down a confirmation motion for Constitutional Court Chief designate Kim Yi-su. The rejection dealt a stinging blow to the DP and emboldened its rivals intent on keeping it in check.

At issue was Kim’s previous role in leading a group of liberal judges. Thus, President Moon Jae-in’s designation of Kim has caused consternation among conservatives that fear it could fuel the judiciary’s swing to the left.

Kim’s 2015 ruling in favor of a progressive teachers’ union further reinforced the argument that the nominee appears politically skewed and thus incapable of rendering aboveboard rulings. “Take a look at how the judiciary would be politicized... If he is appointed, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, Constitutional Court, Justice Ministry and Supreme Court will be replete with figures with the same (political) colors and views,” Rep. Jun Hee-kyung of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) said.