Kim Sung-soo respects the intent of the three judicial reform laws... concerns that filing complaints and accusations against judges could affect trials

Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Seongsu said at the National Assembly confirmation hearing that he respects the legislative intent of the three judicial reform bills, while expressing concern that criminal complaints and accusations against judges could affect trials. At the hearing on the 14th, Kim said that laws must be followed unless the Constitutional Court rules them unconstitutional, and that their legislative intent should also be respected. However, regarding the crime of distorting the law, he explained that a court would not be immediately indicted merely because of differences in judgment at different levels of trial, but that the possibility of criminal complaints and accusations itself could burden a judge's trial. He also referred to the Supreme Court en banc's remand and reversal last year in President Lee Jaemyung's Public Official Election Act case, saying the procedure was somewhat unusual. Regarding allegations of gift tax evasion related to his brotherinlaw, he said he was sorry and stated that he is in the process of proceeding with payment for the taxable amount.