Wikipedia

Lee Su-jin (politician)

In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.

Lee Su-jin (Korean: 이수진, born 3 November 1969) is a South Korean judge and politician.

Lee Su-jin
이수진
Lee Su-jin (right)
Member of the National Assembly
In office
30 May 2020 – 29 May 2024
Preceded byNa Kyung-won
Succeeded byNa Kyung-won
ConstituencySeoul Dongjak B
Personal details
Born (1969-11-03) 3 November 1969 (age 55)
Jeonju, North Jeolla, South Korea
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materSeoul National University
OccupationJudge, politician
Korean name
Hangul
이수진
Hanja
李秀眞
Revised RomanizationI Sujin
McCune–ReischauerI Suchin

Early life

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Lee was born in Jeonju, North Jeolla in 1969.[1] Her birthplace was usually rumoured as Nonsan,[2][3] despite her denial.[4] She grew up with a poor family, where she used to share a single room with 4 siblings.[5] She lost her father when she was 11 years old.[5] One day, her mother, who earned a living as a socks seller, slipped on an ice and underwent a hip osteonecrosis.[5] Lee, who often cried for this, described her mum's problem on her diary.[5] This story was reported by her primary school teachers to North Jeolla Daily.[5] She later attended Jeonju Sungsim Girls' High School and earned a bachelor's degree in economics at Seoul National University[1][4] in 1996.[2]

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After qualifying for the bar in 1998, Lee graduated from the Judicial Research and Training Institute in 2002.[2][4] She began her career at Incheon District Court, then at Seoul High Court, Seoul Central District Court and Seoul Southern District Court.[2] In 2011, she co-founded the Institute of International Human Rights Law.[3]

She drew a public attention when she was in charge of the Cho Doo-soon Case in 2008.[5] The 8-year-old victim was seriously injured and therefore had to wear a stoma bag.[5] The prosecution was harshly criticised because of forcing the victim to summon and repeat her testimony.[5] Her parents finally filed a lawsuit against the prosecution and Lee, as the judge in charge, ordered the prosecution to pay the victim 13 million won (≒ 13,000 US$) in damages.[5]

Political career

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On 27 January 2020, Lee was brought to the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).[2][3] From the interview, she expressed her advocation to jucial reform, as well as proposing bills to enrich people's livelihoods.[2]

Prior to the 2020 election, Lee was a potential candidate for Dongjak 2nd constituency, where the incumbent MP is Na Kyung-won of the United Future Party (UFP).[2] However, some other sources reported that perhaps the ruling party would put the ex-judge to Uiwang-Gwacheon constituency,[4] where held by Shin Chang-hyun who lost at preselection.[6] On 4 March, the Democratic Party has confirmed to nominate Lee as the official candidate for Dongjak 2nd, formally giving her way to contest with the UFP MP.[1] Do Jong-hwan, who led the nomination, praised her as "a judge who really understand the minorities hardworking for fair judgements".[1]

On 15 April, Lee successfully defeated the incumbent MP with a narrow margin.[7]

Controversies

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Political neutrality

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On 2 January 2020, shortly before quitting as a judge, Lee showed her intention to run for the upcoming general election should there is any chance while interviewing with JoongAng Ilbo.[8] Her remark was criticised for breaching political neutrality and politicising the judiciary.[9] It was reported she had submitted a resignation letter to the Supreme Court on 31 December 2019.[9] Some of her colleagues also mentioned they were shocked when she made such decision.[10]

Yang Sung-tae blacklist

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On 27 January 2020, Lee disclosed that she was blacklisted by the former Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae.[2] However, some sources reported her name was not on the list.[11][12][4] Though she revealed she was demoted due to conflicts with the former Chief Justice, some other colleagues disclosed that she was incompetent and therefore not suitable to say "demoted".[13]

Chin Jung-kwon, a notable left-wing commentator, denounced her by saying, "Such a nut. I don't understand why the hell the DPK brought these kind of nuts."[14][4] Yang Hong-seok, a lawyer from People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, urged, "Please tell people how you were victimised by him. You're not explaining properly. This is same as you're treating people like a dog. I don't think you're actually victimised."[15]

On 8 April, Lee was sued by her competitor, Na Kyung-won, for the publication of false information.[16] Lee reacted, "Aren't you busy? Only people know the truth."[16]

Election results

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General elections

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Year Constituency Political party Votes (%) Remarks
2020 Dongjak 2nd DPK 61,407 (52.1%) Won

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "與, '나경원 대항마'로 이수진 공천…동작을, 동문 女판사 맞대결". 4 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h '민주당 영입' 이수진 전 판사, 눈물 삼킨 이유 "단칸방 둘째 딸… 법은 약자 편에 서야". 27 January 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b c 민주당, 충남 논산 출신 이수진 前 부장판사 영입. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f 의왕·과천 민주당 이수진 낙점설...당원,후보 전략공천 반대 술렁. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i '최악의 가정사' 딛고 일어선 동작을 이수진은 누구... 23 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  6. ^ 신창현, 민주당 현역 중 첫 공천탈락…김성태 한국당 불출마 선언 '정치권 급물살'. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  7. ^ 나경원 꺾은 이수진 "낡은 정치 끝내고 정치개혁". 16 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  8. ^ [단독] 양승태 의혹 폭로 이수진 판사 "지역구서 심판 받겠다". 2 January 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  9. ^ a b 현직 법관, 총선 출마 선언에 법조계 '충격'. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  10. ^ [현장에서] 여당 의원이 되려는 이수진…동료 판사들은 당황했다. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  11. ^ [단독] "블랙리스트 피해 판사"라더니, 명단에 없었다. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  12. ^ 총선용 '양승태 마케팅'?…블랙리스트 아닌데 블랙리스트라는 이수진. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  13. ^ '블랙리스트' 주장 이수진, 동료들 진술서엔 "업무 능력 부족". 11 February 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  14. ^ "與인재, 이번엔 '거짓말' 논란…이수진 "난 사법농단 피해자"". 4 February 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  15. ^ 법조계 "이수진 후보, 양승태 대법원장한테 무슨 피해 입었나". 30 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  16. ^ a b 나경원, 이수진 형사고발…"허위사실 공표". 8 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
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