Park taps head of court as new chief of human rights watchdog

President Park Geun-hye nominated the head of a Seoul court as the new chief of South Korea's human rights watchdog, an official said Monday.

Lee Seong-ho, the current head of the Seoul Central District Court, 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 served as a judge for about 30 years, including his appointment at the Seoul High Court.

The nominee is required to go through a parliamentary confirmation hearing, though the National Assembly's approval is not necessary for his appointment. (Yonhap)