It should be an honor for a former prosecutor to sit as a Supreme Court justice and for the National Human Rights Commission chief to be given another term in office for their integrity and the outstanding achievements they have made during their careers. The posts are among the most coveted in the nation.

But the pursuit of the posts by unqualified people would be seen as an ill-advised, ugly ambition, as witnessed in the persons of the prosecutor-turned-justice nominee, Kim Byung-hwa, and the chairman of the rights commission, Hyun Byung-chul. Their critics regard them as not just unqualified but as improper nominees because of the wrongdoings they are suspected of.

In the face of strong opposition from the main opposition Democratic United Party, the ruling Saenuri Party has delayed a vote on Kim’s confirmation in the National Assembly and agreed not to adopt the legislature’s report on Hyun’s additional term. The withholding of approval from the legislature is a shame not just for Kim and Hyun but for those that recommended them ― the prosecution and the presidential office.

Worse still, the conflict over Kim’s alleged lawbreaking is blocking the process of appointing three other justice nominees as well.

The opposition accuses Kim of changing his address on paper twice, instead of actually moving to new residences, writing bogus contracts for speculation in real estate and engaging in other wrongdoings. Even the ruling party finds it difficult to endorse his appointment with open arms. While making the lame argument that none of the alleged offenses are too critical for his appointment, the party has allowed its members to vote as they wish, instead of telling them to toe the line and vote for him.

Hyun is accused of committing plagiarism in his papers and speculating in property. Even more serious is a claim that he ignored his job of promoting human rights and, instead, went against their promotion. Among his critics are Amnesty International and two former standing members of the committee, who resigned in protest against his policy.

President Lee Myung-bak may choose to squander what little political capital he has left on Hyun’s reappointment, which does not require the legislature’s approval.

But Kim and Hyun will do well to quit on their own before it is too late. Pressure is already mounting on the prosecution and the presidential office to look for their replacements.