1920. 12. Born in Chungmu, Gyeongsangnam-do

1943. Kansai University in Japan, LL.B.

1948. Passed the Second Joseon Bar Examination

1949. Commenced practicing law in Chungmu

1951. Judge of Tongyeong Branch Court of Busan District Court

1957. Presiding Judge of Daegu District Court

1959. Presiding Judge of Daegu High Court

1964. Chief Judge of Jeonju District Court

1973. Judge of Supreme Court

1986. Opened law office

1988. The 10th Chief Justice

1990. Retired as Chief Justice in full tenure

2007. 12. Deceased

During the service as a judge at the Supreme Court, Chief Justice LEE Il-kyu wrote minority opinions for acquittal in cases involving the “public security” issues, such as the case on the National League of Democratic Youth and Students; KIM Cheol-gi’s crime of denigrating the country; lawyer PARK Se-kyeong’s violation of the decree on marital law; Christian minister KO Yeong-geun’s violation of the Emergency Measure No. 9. When he presided the case involving Song family’s spying activities in 1983, he pronounced acquittal for having the defendant tortured at the final appeal case.