Why Justice Moon Hyung-bae’s Modest Wealth is Gaining Attention

Moon Hyung-bae, the acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, is making headlines for his relatively modest wealth declared during his confirmation hearing six years ago. Many find his commitment to living an ‘average person’s life’ truly admirable.

An online post titled ‘The Reason Why Justice Moon Hyung-bae’s Wealth is Small’ has gained significant traction. The author highlighted that while the average wealth of other Constitutional Court justices is around ₩2 billion (approximately $1.5 million USD), Justice Moon’s assets are less than ₩400 million (about $300,000 USD) because of his dedication to staying within the financial realm of the average citizen.

The post included a video clip from Justice Moon’s confirmation hearing on April 9, 2019. In the video, Representative Baek Hye-ryun questioned Moon about his wealth, noting that his declared assets were only ₩675.45 million despite his 27 years as a judge. Moon responded that he had vowed to live an average life when he got married. He mentioned that the average household wealth in South Korea was around ₩300 million, and his personal assets were slightly below ₩400 million. He also clarified that the ₩675.45 million included his father’s assets, and he felt he was already exceeding the average, expressing a sense of introspection.

This revelation has resonated deeply with many, garnering over 710,000 views. Netizens have expressed respect and admiration, praising his integrity and principled lifestyle. Common reactions include statements like ‘It makes me reflect on myself,’ ‘I respect him,’ ‘He is truly an honorable person,’ and ‘He lives a life of conviction.’

This news serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of humility and staying grounded, even in positions of great power and influence.