Seoul district court head tapped as justice

Chief Justice Lee Yong-hoon nominated Shin Young-chul, head of the Seoul Central District Court, for a seat on the Supreme Court on Saturday.

If approved, Shin, 55, will replace Koh Hyun-chul, who will end his six-year service at the 14-member top court in February.

"Factoring in various elements, including his legal knowledge, ability to render reasonable judgments and personality, I recommended Shin," the chief justice said in a statement.

If President Lee Myung-bak accepts the nomination, Shin will go through a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. No president has rejected the chief justice`s nomination.

Shin has been acclaimed for his efforts to establish standards for physical detention during investigation, which restrict unnecessary detention and offer due care for juvenile delinquents.

Born in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, he graduated from Seoul National University`s legal department, and passed the 18th state bar exam in 1976.

Shin has served in various positions in the judiciary, including district courts in Seoul, Daegu, Cheongju and Suwon, the Seoul High Court and the Judicial Research and Training Center.

Shin was chosen among four candidates suggested last Wednesday by the recommendation committee for Supreme Court justices. The candidates included Kang Byung-sup, former head of the Seoul Central District Court, and Koo Uk-seo and Jeong Gap-ju, heads of the Seoul Southern District Court and the Jeonju District Court, respectively.

By Song Sang-ho



(sshluck@heraldm.com)