▲A pro-government figure is being floated as the chair of the Prosecution Human Rights Respect Future Committee, a new body to be established by the Ministry of Justice. According to legal circles on the 18th, the ministry is strongly considering attorney Jang Joo-young, a former president of Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), as a leading candidate for the chair position. Regarding the committee, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said, "Some political prosecutors are suspected of conforming to power, suppressing the human rights of the people, and distorting political cases," adding, "The committee was created with the intent of reviewing past cases that were distorted due to political intentions and moving forward into the future." Can a pro-government chair fulfill that mandate?
▲The Supreme Court announced on the 18th that it has launched the procedure to select a successor to Justice Lee Heung-gu, who retires this September. Another justice selection process has begun while the seat of former Justice Noh Tae-ak, who retired this March, remains vacant. The recommendation committee formed ahead of Justice Noh's retirement recommended four candidates on January 21, but the final nominee has yet to be put forward. The delay is reportedly due to differences of opinion between the Chief Justice, who nominates candidates, and the President, who holds appointment authority. A successor must be decided as soon as possible to normalize the Supreme Court.
