New chief justice hints at probe of 'judge blacklist'
Chief Justice Kim Meong-su, right, poses with President Moon Jae-in during his appointment ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
The “blacklist of judges” may be investigated under the new chief justice, who has vowed to regain public trust through judicial reform.
Kim Meong-su, who started his six-year term Monday as head of the Supreme Court, said suspicions surrounding the list have not been cleared up yet and he will review whether it is necessary to reinvestigate the blacklist issue.
“It is an urgent issue that has to be resolved immediately,” Kim told reporters as he entered the court. “I will thoroughly review it and make a decision.”
His predecessor Yang Sung-tae was accused of creating the blacklist, which allegedly contains personal information including political biases, as a means of strengthening his grip on power.
After the issue came to the fore, Yang ordered for a fact-finding committee, which later concluded such a list does not exist. But few judges were convinced by the findings.
Earlier that day, Kim participated in his appointment ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae, in which President Moon Jae-in urged him to spearhead judicial reform and restore justice.
“The judicial branch is responsible for its own reform,” President Moon said. “I believe many people, including court officials, have great expectations for you ... and so do I after listening to what you promised at the Assembly confirmation hearing.”
Kim said the Supreme Court under his leadership will be “different and more independent.” He noted he will exercise his constitutional rights even if that means clashing with the President.
“I will try my best to regain the people’s trust and support,” he said.
His accession to power also ushers in a major change in the ideological balance of the court to the left.
Kim, whom many call the “most liberal chief justice ever,” is widely expected to bring changes to the court with his views seen being mostly in line with the liberal governing party.
For many conservative groups, this is a big concern. They are worried “change” means “a move to the left” on key social issues such as conscientious objectors, same-sex marriage and abortion.
The pace of change may accelerate even more next year when six out of the 13 justices will be replaced.
Kim will give a speech and be sworn in as the new chief justice today at the main building of the Supreme Court.