South Korea Names First Supreme Court Justice Under Lee's Presidency

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has approved the appointment of Kim Sung-soo as a new Supreme Court justice, the presidential office announced on Friday.

The National Assembly passed a confirmation motion for Kim on Thursday, clearing the way for his elevation to the country's highest court. During a plenary session, lawmakers approved the motion by a vote of 227 to 28, with 13 lawmakers abstaining.

The President's approval came a day after the National Assembly endorsed Kim's confirmation, following a confirmation hearing held earlier in the week.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae had recommended Kim to President Lee last month as the successor to former Supreme Court Justice Lee Heung-ku. Kim's appointment follows the completion of the required parliamentary confirmation process for his elevation to the bench.

He will become the first Supreme Court justice to take office since President Lee assumed power in 2025.