Overview

• Lawmakers approved the confirmation motion in a 206-49 vote with nine abstentions, succeeding acting chief Moon Hyung-bae.
• The vote fills a leadership void that left the court understaffed following blocked nominations and judicial retirements earlier this year.
• Once President Lee Jae Myung formalizes the appointment, Kim will begin a six-year term as chief justice.
• Opposition lawmakers raised concerns about Kim’s involvement in past decisions viewed as favorable to President Lee, including a 2020 election law violation case.
• The nominee faces allegations that he used insider information to profit from gap investing in real estate, a matter still under scrutiny.