Seoul: Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae has recommended two senior judges to be appointed as justices at the top court by President Lee Jae Myung, officials revealed on Tuesday. Cho has nominated Son Bong-kie from the Daegu District Court and Kim Sung-soo from the Seoul High Court to fill the vacancy left by former justice Rho Tae-ak and to replace outgoing justice Lee Heung-gu.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the appointment process will commence once President Lee submits an official request for parliamentary consent regarding the nominees. The two candidates will assume their positions if they successfully pass a parliamentary hearing.

If appointed, Son Bong-kie and Kim Sung-soo will be the first Supreme Court justices to take office under President Lee since his administration began in June of the previous year. In South Korea, all 14 Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president, but this requires the consent of the National Assembly.