By Lee Hyo-sik
A 50-year-old former female judge who has raised three children on her own after a divorce has been designated a new justice of the Supreme Court.
If her nomination is confirmed by the National Assembly, Park Bo-young will become the nation’s third female justice after Kim Young-ran who retired in August 2010 and the incumbent Jeon Soo-ahn.
Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae Friday also nominated Kim Yong-duck, vice minister of the national court administration. The two will replace outgoing Justices Park Si-hwan and Kim Ji-hyung whose six-year terms end on Nov. 20.
President Lee Myung-bak is expected to accept Yang’s recommendation and forward it to the Assembly for approval.
If lawmakers approve their nominations after a confirmation hearing, the two will join the Supreme Court.
Born in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, Park has served as head of the National Association for Female Lawyers with 1,400 members from January. After graduating from Jeonju Women’s High School and Hanyang University, she passed the bar exam in 1984.
But Park quit her position as a judge in 2004 after 18 years and has since been practicing law, specializing in family-related disputes. She decided to open a private office, due to financial difficulties, after she split up with her husband. Park has raised three children on her own since the marriage failed.
She has built up a reputation as a defender of the socially weak. While serving as a judge, Park worked to protect women, children and other socially-vulnerable groups.
Fellow-nominee Kim has been serving as vice minister of the national court administration since February. He graduated from Gyeonggi High School and Seoul National University.
After passing the bar exam in 1979, he was appointed to a range of key posts in the judicial branch, including chief judge at the Seoul High Court.
Kim is said to have in-depth knowledge of legal principals, past verdicts and court administration.
He also served as a chief legal researcher for the Supreme Court for more than four years.
leehs@koreatimes.co.kr