Constitutional Court of Korea > Justices

Justices

Current Justices

President

Kim Sanghwan

I will view people and the world through the broad and compassionate lens of the Constitution. I will always listen attentively to the voices of the sovereign people who call for democracy and the rule of law. And I will never forget my duty to build a society where members treat one another with empathy and respect.

President of the Constitutional Court of Korea (2025)
Endowed Professor at the Jeju National University Law School
Justice of the Supreme Court
Presiding Judge at the Seoul High Court

Born in Mokpo in 1957, President Yoo graduated from Seoul National University College of Law and passed the National Judicial Exam in 1981. Since his appointment as a judge at the Seoul Civil District Court in 1986, President Yoo has served as a Research Judge at the Supreme Court, Presiding Judge at the Seoul Administrative Court, Registrar of the Constitutional Court, Presiding Judge at the Seoul High Court, Chief Judge of the Seoul Northern District Court, and Chief Judge of the Gwangju High Court. During his service of over 30 years at the Court, President Yoo has focused on reaching decisions that protect the rights and freedoms of the people while remaining committed to the basic principles of the law, and has striven to effectively communicate with the public.

While serving as a judge in the ordinary courts, President Yoo also contributed to the development of constitutional theories by regularly chairing academic meetings of the Constitutional Research Society. After joining the Constitutional Court of Korea in November 2017, he has served as chair of the Comparative Constitutional Law Society and worked to further develop theories and practices of constitutional adjudication, by encouraging research and study of theories and cases of other jurisdictions.

Serving as a Justice at the Constitutional Court of Korea, President Yoo has stayed committed to protect the constitutional order and assure basic rights of the people. He has been involved in decisions that maintained the Special Act on Asset Confiscation for Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Collaborators to the State; struck down the provision in the Protection of Communications Secrets Act that allowed investigation agencies to request location tracking data and other communication confirmation data of individuals; and acknowledged the right to physical integrity and the freedom of assembly against police actions such as spraying water containing tear gas without legal grounds.

In September 2018, President Yoo took office as the 7th President of the Constitutional Court of Korea

Justices

Kim Hyungdu

I will do my utmost to protect the human rights of minorities and vulnerable groups in a democratic society where majority rule prevails, to realize substantial freedom and equality, and to achieve a society in which the constitutional order is respected.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2023)
- Vice Minister, National Court Administration
- Chief Researcher, Judicial Policy Research Institute
- Presiding Judge, Seoul High Court
Jung Jungmi

I will help create a just society where procedural and substantive democracy is fully realized, the fundamental rights of minorities and vulnerable groups are protected, all members care for each other, and young people dream of the future.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2023)
- Judge, Daejeon High Court
- Chief Judge, Gongju Branch, Daejeon District Court and Daejeon Family Court
- Professor, Judicial Research & Training Institute
Cheong Hyungsik

I will be fully committed to realizing the constitutional spirit that assures human dignity and worth of all citizens.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2023)
- Chief Judge, Daejeon High Court
- Chief Judge, Seoul Bankruptcy Court
- Chief Presiding Judge (acting), Seoul Administrative Court
Kim Bok-hyeong

As a Justice of the Constitutional Court, I will contribute to ensuring that our people are guaranteed the dignity and worth inherent to all humans while protecting constitutional values, including the basic free and democratic order along with the rule of law, based on the separation of powers and the principle of checks and balances.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2024)
- Presiding Judge, Seoul High Court
- Presiding Judge, Suwon High Court
- Presiding Judge, Seoul High Court (Chuncheon Branch)
Cho Hanchang

I will fulfill my mission as a Constitutional Court Justice to realize the constitutional spirit grounded in the guarantee of human dignity and worth and to achieve social integration that embraces diversity.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2025)
- Managing Partner at DOUL Law Firm
- Chief Presiding Judge (acting), Seoul Administrative Court
- Presiding Judge, Seoul High Court
Chung Kyesun

As one of the pillars of wisdom underpinning democracy and the rule of law, I hope to contribute to guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the people and guiding the path toward a united and inclusive society, with the Constitution as a compass.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2025)
- Chief Judge, Seoul Western District Court
- Presiding Judge, Seoul Southern District Court
- Presiding Judge, Seoul Western District Court
Ma Eunhyeok

I will honor the views of the majority, but not blindly. I will hear the voices of minorities and the marginalized, but with impartiality.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2025)
- Presiding Judge, Seoul Western District Court
- Presiding Judge, Seoul Northern District Court
- Presiding Judge, Seoul Central District Court
Oh Young-joon

For a society where democracy and the rule of law are realized in everyday life, the dignity and value of every person are guaranteed, and majority rule is balanced with respect for minorities and the vulnerable, I will fully perform all my duties as a Constitutional Court Justice.
- Justice, Constitutional Court (2025)
- Presiding Judge, Seoul High Court
- Head, Research Division of Supreme Court
- Deputy Head, Research Division of Supreme Court