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| Choi Sung-joon |
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.
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