Daejeon High Court chief judge Cheong Hyung-sik nominated to Constitutional Court bench

President Yoon Suk Yeol nominated Cheong Hyung-sik, chief judge at Daejeon High Court, as a new Constitutional Court justice on Wednesday.

Cheong's nomination comes after Constitutional Court President Yoo Nam-seok retired last week.

In a briefing, presidential chief of staff Kim Dae-ki described Cheong as a "judge with a reputation for his extensive legal principles and fair trial conduct."

With 35 years of judicial experience, Cheong has served as a senior judge at Seoul High Court and Suwon High Court after beginning his career at the Seongnam branch of Suwon District Court in 1988.

While serving as the chief judge of Daejeon High Court and other positions, Cheong has been "faithful to the principles of court administration," Kim added.

Cheong is a graduate of Seoul National University's College of Law.

Kim said Cheong would be an ideal justice to serve on the nine-member Constitutional Cout because he possesses the necessary "qualities, virtue and trust of the legal community."

President Yoon named Lee Jong-seok, a current Constitutional Court justice, its new chief last month.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]