Singapore puts forward veteran diplomat Lee for ICJ seat amid global legal contest
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Singapore has nominated Ambassador Lee, a seasoned international law specialist, for the Asian seat on the International Court of Justice, joining a crowded field of contenders from around the world.
Singapore announced that Ambassador Lee, who has served as the country’s oceans ambassador and currently holds the post of Ambassador for International Law, is seeking election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ, the United Nations’ principal judicial organ, is meant to settle legal disputes between states and issue advisory opinions on international law matters, though its composition and selections are closely watched as states vie for influence in global legal institutions. Singapore previously appeared before the court in the 2008 Pedra Branca case, which awarded the island to Singapore and resolved related territorial questions with Malaysia.
Law Minister Edwin Tong told the UN General Assembly that Lee is a qualified international law practitioner with expertise in the law of the sea, climate and environmental law, humanitarian law and human rights. Experts note that, under Article 2 of the ICJ Statute, judges are expected to be independent, of high moral character, and either possess the qualifications for the highest judicial offices in their countries or be recognized experts in international law.
Associate Professor Proulx said voters typically examine a candidate’s legal credentials, professional reputation and experience. He added that the Asian seat is likely to be contested by three candidates: Singapore’s Lee, Jordan’s Mahmoud Hmoud, who is a sitting ICJ judge, and South Korea’s Jin-Hyun Paik, a former judge and former president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
The remaining candidates include representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Kenya, the Republic of Korea and Ecuador. CNA contacted Ambassador Lee for comment but did not receive a response.