Justice Lee Suk-yeon Inauguration: "The Judiciary's Role Is Like a Ship's Ballast... Will Fulfill the Role of Maintaining Balance"

"I Apologize for Causing Concern Due to Personal and Family Issues"
Once Again Apologizing for Controversy Over Illicit Gift to Children

Lee Suk-yeon, Supreme Court Justice (56, Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 26), whose confirmation report adoption was postponed due to controversies over stock gift tax evasion involving her children, was inaugurated on the 6th.

In her inaugural speech, Justice Lee stated, "I believe the role of the judiciary is like the ballast water of a massive ship," adding, "I will fulfill my role as ballast water that balances by embracing diverse values and changes of the times." She also apologized once again for the controversies that arose during the confirmation process.

On the 6th, at the Supreme Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, Justice Lee Suk-yeon is delivering an inaugural address at the swearing-in ceremony. Photo by the Supreme Court

At the inauguration ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, Justice Lee said, "Today, I stand at a place where I have been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of a Supreme Court Justice and am starting anew," and reflected, "Having first entered the courtroom as the plaintiff in an unfair dismissal lawsuit, and after 27 years as a judge, standing here as a Supreme Court Justice means I have been given the mission to return the trust in the courts that I once felt to the people."

She pledged, "I will never forget the experiences of social minorities that I have personally felt, and will keep in mind that fairness in trials and the firm trust of the people in them are the foundation that supports our society. I will not lose my initial resolve and will do my utmost to protect the dignity and fundamental rights of social minorities and the vulnerable, and to realize equality before the law and the rule of law."

Justice Lee expressed regret, saying, "I am deeply sorry for causing concern due to personal issues involving myself and my family during this confirmation process," and added, "I will deeply engrave the sovereign's admonition and request to approach not only judicial duties but also personal matters with humility and strictness that meet the people's expectations, and I will repeatedly review to ensure such issues do not arise in the future."

She also said, "Despite my shortcomings, I sincerely thank the National Assembly and the people for giving me the opportunity to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Justice, the Court Administration Office Chief, and all court members who supported and encouraged me throughout this process."

Justice Lee likened the judiciary's role to ballast water that maintains a ship's center of gravity to enable safe navigation.

She stated, "I believe the role of the judiciary is like the ballast water of a massive ship," and added, "So that the large ship called our society does not tilt to one side or run aground, maintaining social integration and navigating through the waves of history toward the future, I will fulfill my role as ballast water that balances by complying with the Constitution and laws while embracing diverse values and changes of the times as a Supreme Court Justice."

Finally, Justice Lee said, "As the first Supreme Court Justice from a science and engineering background, I will incorporate the development of science and technology and appropriate norms into the rulings of the highest court, implement the principle of due process suitable for the digital age, and strive to protect intellectual property rights," adding, "Through this, I will present directions for resolving future social disputes and pour all my experience and knowledge to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefits of scientific and technological advancements."

She continued, "Furthermore, by accelerating the implementation of AI judicial services, I will contribute my efforts to make the judiciary’s core functions smoother through swift, thorough, and fair trials, and to dramatically improve the public’s access to justice."

Justice Lee was appointed alongside new Justices Noh Kyung-pil and Park Young-jae as successors to Justices Kim Sun-soo, Lee Dong-won, and Noh Jung-hee, who retired on the 1st.

However, during the confirmation process, controversy arose when it was revealed that her eldest daughter in her 20s resold unlisted stocks purchased with her father's money back to him, earning a capital gain of 63 times, and made a gap investment in a multi-family house in a redevelopment zone.

The National Assembly’s Special Committee on Personnel Hearings postponed the adoption of Justice Lee’s confirmation report, and only Justices Noh Kyung-pil and Park Young-jae were inaugurated on the 2nd. Subsequently, on the 5th, the National Assembly passed the confirmation bill for Justice Lee with 206 votes in favor, 58 against, and 7 abstentions out of 271 members present. On the same day, President Yoon Suk-yeol approved the appointment electronically while on vacation.

With Justice Lee’s inauguration, the Supreme Court’s full bench is expected to begin full-scale operation soon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.