President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday tapped Lee Dong-heub, former Constitutional Court justice, to head the top judicial body.

Lee, 61, is the first former justice of the court to be nominated for the top post, Cheong Wa Dae said. All the presidents, including current chief Lee Kang-kook, were from outside the court. Lee’s six-year term ends on Jan. 21.

“While serving as a Constitutional Court justice, Lee made stable legal judgments based on his strong resolve to preserve the democratic constitutional order,” Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.

“Versed in knowledge and practice, he is the best fit for the position to protect people’s basic rights and strengthen the rule of law.”

The nomination is subject to parliamentary approval following a confirmation hearing.

Since he entered the judicial service in 1978, Lee has served in various research and court positions including those at the Constitutional Court’s research division, Judicial Research & Training Institute, district courts in Seoul, Busan and Suwon and other judicial organizations.

Lee served as a justice at the Constitutional Court for six years until September 2012.

Lee obtained his bachelor and master’s degrees in law from Seoul National University in 1972 and 1977, respectively. He also gained a master’s degree in law from Georgetown University.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)