Key facts
- The National Assembly passed the confirmation motion for Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo on September 17, 2026.
- The vote was 227 in favor, 28 against, with 13 abstentions.
- Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended Kim to President Lee Jae Myung.
- Kim Sung-soo would be the first Supreme Court justice appointed since the launch of the Lee administration if approved by the president.
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly on Thursday passed the confirmation motion for Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo. During a plenary session, the Assembly endorsed the confirmation motion for Kim in a 227-28 vote, with 13 abstentions. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae last month recommended Kim to President Lee Jae Myung for appointment as the successor to former Supreme Court Justice Lee Heung-ku. Kim's parliamentary confirmation hearing took place Monday and rival parties adopted his confirmation hearing report Wednesday. Kim will become the first Supreme Court justice to take office since the launch of the Lee administration if the president approves his appointment. Previously, parliamentary committee confirmation hearing reports for justice and defense minister nominees were adopted on September 17, 2026, with opposition lawmakers boycotting the sessions.