Moon Hyung-bae, the acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Korea, has been in the spotlight following his key role in the historic impeachment ruling of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. His name is now widely recognized, not only for his judicial work but also for his inspiring personal journey. Moon’s background resonates deeply with many, especially as his life story recently resurfaced.
Born in 1965 in Hadong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, Moon grew up in poverty. He was the eldest son of a poor farmer. In his 2019 confirmation hearing, Moon recalled, “I only made it through middle school because my relatives handed down old uniforms and textbooks to me.” His education came with great sacrifice, but a turning point arrived in his first year of high school.
In 1981, Moon received a scholarship from Kim Jang-ha, a local Korean traditional medicine practitioner and philanthropist. This scholarship allowed him to continue his education, eventually earning a law degree from Seoul National University. Moon has frequently credited Kim Jang-ha for shaping his future. “I could never have become a justice without him,” he said, describing Kim’s devotion to supporting students from poor backgrounds. Kim Jang-ha’s philanthropy was highlighted in the 2023 MBC documentary, A Man Who Heals the City. Over his lifetime, Kim awarded scholarships to more than 1,000 students and funded shelters for survivors of domestic violence.
Moon’s story stands out, particularly in a country where public officials are often scrutinized for their wealth. In his 2019 confirmation hearing, he disclosed that his total assets amounted to 675 million won ($458,412). This was significantly lower than the average assets of his fellow judges, which were about 2 billion won at the time. He explained, “When I got married, I promised myself I would never stray from the life of an average person.” He later added, “I’m genuinely sorry that my assets slightly exceed the national average.”
In addition to his judicial career, Moon is an active blogger. On Tistory, he has written over 1,500 posts on topics ranging from law to literature. One of his posts reads, “I know how easily poverty can upend a person’s life,” emphasizing his belief that society must do more to address poverty’s impact. After the recent impeachment ruling, his blog was flooded with comments thanking him for his integrity and public service.
While Moon’s term as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court will end on April 18, 2025, he has made it clear that he has no interest in starting a private law practice. Instead, he plans to continue his commitment to public service. “Even after becoming a justice, I have never forgotten that my duty is to repay society for the support I received,” he said in 2019.
Throughout his judicial career, Moon has been known for his combination of compassion and firm principles. As the chief judge of Changwon District Court from 2004 to 2007, Moon handled criminal and corruption cases with human-centered rulings. In one notable case in 2007, Moon presided over a man who attempted suicide due to credit card debt. Instead of sending him to prison, Moon granted probation and encouraged the man to reconsider life’s value. “Say the word ‘suicide’ ten times,” Moon instructed him. “To us, it sounds like ‘let’s live’.” Moon gave the man a book titled 49 Things You Must Do While Alive, urging him to find reasons to live.
On the other hand, Moon has been firm in corruption cases. In 2006, during local elections, he imposed severe penalties for bribery, stressing that even small acts of corruption should result in the annulment of election results. He often quoted the 1820 work Admonitions on Governing the People by philosopher Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, emphasizing the importance of integrity in leadership.
Moon’s commitment to justice was evident in his role in the historic impeachment ruling against former President Yoon Suk Yeol. On Friday, he read aloud the court’s decision, stating that Yoon’s actions undermined the authority of the National Assembly and violated the fundamental rights of the people. Moon emphasized that the former president had betrayed the trust of the South Korean people, highlighting his duty to protect the Constitution.
As Moon’s time as Chief Justice draws to a close, his legacy remains one of integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice. His life story, from humble beginnings to a position of great responsibility, continues to inspire many across South Korea. His ability to balance empathy with the strict application of law has earned him respect both in the courtroom and in the public eye.
Despite his departure from the Constitutional Court, Moon’s dedication to public service will likely continue to shape his future endeavors. His contributions to the judicial system and his personal story will undoubtedly remain a source of inspiration for years to come.
