Veteran judge named top communications official

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sat, September 23, 2023 | 17:57

Veteran judge named top communications official

새 방통위원장에 최성준 서울고법 부장판사 내정

Posted : 2014-03-14 17:49

Updated : 2014-03-14 17:49

Choi Sung-joon

By Kim Da-ye

President Park Geun-hye nominated Choi Sung-joon, 57, a veteran judge at the Seoul High Court, as chief of the Korea Communications Commission, the broadcasting and telecommunications regulator, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday.

Appointed a judge in 1986, Choi has served as chief judge at the Patent Court and the civil division of the Seoul Central District Court, president of the Chuncheon District Court and presiding judge at the Seoul High Court. He was among the Supreme Court justice nominees in January.

"Having served as the chairman of a local research association on information and communications law, Choi has expertise and experience in this area, while he is strongly trusted and known for his upright personality within the court," said presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook.

In a brief interview with reporters, Choi acknowledged he is not an expert in broadcasting and telecommunications, but said that his experience as a judge may help the regulatory body to ensure independence and fairness.

The commission has five standing committee members. The Seoul native said the law regarding the organization of the committee requires a member to be a judge, prosecutor or lawyer with at least 15 years of experience.

The nominee did not comment on any controversial issues the commission is currently handling because his appointment is yet to be confirmed. He has to go through a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, which has been an increasingly grueling process for nominees for administrative bodies.

Choi commented that, as a judge, he will follow the law and try to be flexible within what that permits.

Asked if he has any personal connection with President Park Geun-hye, the nominee replied, "I thought about it over and over, but couldn't find one."

The judge graduated from Kyunggi High School, and Seoul National University with a major in law. He is a son-in-law of Kim Yong-cheol, a former president of the Supreme Court.

Several senior judges have recently been tapped to the top positions at executive bodies, including Hwang Chan-hyun, former president of the Seoul Central District Court, who was tapped as the chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection.

새 방통위원장에 최성준 서울고법 부장판사 내정

'친박' 이경재 현 위원장 연임 좌절…1년만에 퇴진

박근혜 대통령은 14일 신임 방송통신위원장에 최성준(57) 서울고등법원 부장판사를 내정했다.

민경욱 청와대 대변인은 이날 브리핑을 통해 '최 내정자는 1986년 판사로 임용된뒤 28년간 민·형사 판사와 특허법원 수석부장판사, 서울중앙지법 민사수석부장판사, 춘천지방법원장, 서울고등법원 부장판사 등 주요 보직을 두루 거치며 리더십과 재판역량을 인정받았다'고 밝혔다.

이어 '한국정보법학회장을 역임하는 등 관련 전문성과 경험도 갖췄을 뿐 아니라 법원 조직 내 신망이 두텁고 성품이 곧아 방송과 통신에 대한 규제와 이용자 보호 등 방송통신위원회의 업무를 판사 재직시 쌓은 경험과 식견을 바탕으로 합리적이며 공정하게 처리할 것으로 보여 발탁했다'고 인선 배경을 설명했다.

최 내정자는 서울 출신으로 경기고와 서울법대(사시 23회)를 각각 졸업했다.

방송통신위는 5명의 위원으로 구성되며 위원 중 위원장을 포함한 두 명은 대통령이 임명하고, 세 명은 국회(여당 1인, 야당 2인)의 추천을 받아 대통령이 임명한다.

민 대변인은 '방송통신위원장은 국회 인사청문회를 거치도록 돼있는 만큼, 청문자료가 준비되는 대로 다음 주 중에 국회에 인사청문을 요청할 계획'이라고 덧붙였다.

이계철 전 방통위원장 후임으로 지난해 3월24일 취임해 오는 25일까지 전임자의 잔여임기를 채우게 되는 이경재 현 위원장은 친박(친박근혜) 인사임에도 불구하고 연임에 실패했다.

kimdaye@koreatimes.co.kr