47-Year-Old Judge Likely to Shatter Gender Barrier


By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court is likely to have a female justice for the first time in its history.

The top court said Friday it has recommended President Roh Moo-hyun appoint Kim Young-ran, a senior judge from the Taejon High Court, to the 14-member Supreme Court panel.

If the recommendation obtains approval from the National Assembly, Kim, 47, will be South Korea’s first female justice of the Supreme Court.

The court selected Kim as a candidate for the successor of Justice Cho Moo-je who will retire next month. If Roh accepts the request, the National Assembly will hold a confirmation hearing and vote on the appointment.

``We requested the choice of Kim after considering a range of opinions and examining her decision-making ability, personality, and attitude in serving the people,’’ Choi Jong-young, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said.

Kim’s selection is seen as part of efforts by the court to meet public demand for judicial reform. The court has also been urged to better protect the basic rights of society’s minority groups, including women, children, and the disabled.

``As a young woman, I think I was considered suitable for reflecting the different opinions of various kinds of people. If appointed, I’ll do my best to meet the needs of the times by protecting minority groups in society,’’ Kim said.

Kim, who studied at Seoul National University’s law school with Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil, is recognized as one of the most prominent judges advocating the rights of minority groups.

In May, Kim ordered a school to compensate a student who had been bullied by schoolmates, stressing the importance of education.

In 2002, Kim ordered the government to pay 3 million to 5 million won in compensation each to four people jailed for violating the National Security Law. She found the government guilty of preventing the four members of an allegedly pro-communist group from seeing their lawyers while they were in custody.

In 1982, Kim married Kang Ji-won, then a prosecutor and now a lawyer with a Seoul law firm. Kang has announced his plan to resign from his current position to support his wife. Kim’s younger brother is a judge of the Seoul District Court.

Only those who have worked as judge, prosecutor, or lawyer for more than 15 years are qualified to become a Supreme Court justice.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr