Judge named to head National Human Rights Commission
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Lee Seong-ho, chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court, has become the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.
President Park Geun-hye has nominated Lee Seong-ho, chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court, as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, the Korea Herald reported.
Lee, 57, will replace Hyun Byeong-chul whose term ends next month. The nomination is required to go through a parliamentary hearing, but does not require the legislature's approval.
A native of Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province, Lee served as a judge for about 30 years, handling many high-profile trials.
He also drew public attention for apologising on behalf of his senior judges by acquitting the victims of the "Aram-hoe Incident", who were falsely accused as pro-communists and tortured by a state law enforcement agency in the early 1980s.
Lee is known as an expert in the field of international intellectual property.
"Lee is the right person to lead the National Human Rights Commission with his firm belief in the protection of human rights," presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said.
Lee's term will end in 2018 and he can pursue a second term.
Date: 20 July 2015
Source: Korea Herald