Parliament endorses Roh's choice of new constitutional court chief

The National Assembly on Friday approved President Roh Moo-hyun's nomination of a lifelong judge as the new Constitutional Court head, ending a political dispute that has left the top court post vacant for about four months. The single-chamber parliament passed the appointment of Lee Kang-kuk in a 157-22 vote. Four ballots were nullified and 113 lawmakers failed to attend the vote, but gave no reason for their absence.

"I consider it very fortunate to resolve the long-term vacuum of the Constitutional Court headship," Assembly Speaker Lim Chae-jung said.

The top court position has been vacant since mid-August, when its previous head Yoon Young-chul resigned after completing his six-year tenure. President Roh nominated Chon Hyo-suk, then the only female justice on the nine-member Constitutional Court, to head the court.

After the nomination, Chon quickly resigned as a court judge, sparking criticism she aimed to be appointed to a six-year term as the court's head. If she had retained her previous post, her tenure would have only been three years, as she has already served for three years as a justice.

The main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) reacted angrily, seizing a parliamentary hall to prevent President Roh's ruling Uri Party from forcing the nomination through.

After weeks of parliamentary deadlock, Roh retracted his nomination in December and designated Lee, also a Constitutional Court justice, as his second choice for new court head.

The 61-year-old Lee holds a Ph.D. in law and has held a string of top judge posts, including as the head of the Daejeon District Court, since he passed the state bar exam in 1967.

The passage of Lee's nomination was widely expected, as a parliamentary confirmation hearing on him ended without any major partisan wrangling earlier this week. GNP members who participated in the two-day hearing indicated they would vote in favor of Lee's nomination.

"We believe nominee Lee has the qualifications and expertise necessary to perform as the Constitutional Court head after reviewing questions and answers during the confirmation hearing and testimonies by witnesses," a bipartisan committee on the confirmation hearing said in a report to the Assembly. The Uri Party holds 139 seats in the 296-member parliament, while the GNP has 127 seats. The remaining seats are shared by small opposition parties and independents.

Seoul, Jan. 19 (Yonhap News)