Choo Mi-ae Meets Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su: "The Ministry of Justice Will Also Do Its Part in Judicial Reform"

Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su is shaking hands with Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae on the afternoon of the 9th at the Supreme Court reception room in Seocho-dong, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae met with Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo and expressed her intention to support the judicial reform promoted by the Supreme Court.

Minister Choo visited the Supreme Court on the 9th to pay a courtesy call after her appointment. Arriving around 2 p.m., she entered the building without responding to reporters' questions at the Supreme Court entrance regarding her earlier statements on prosecution personnel matters made in the National Assembly.

Afterwards, Minister Choo arrived at the Supreme Court's 11th-floor reception room, wrote in the guestbook, "Supporting a judiciary where human rights and justice live," and took her seat. When Chief Justice Kim arrived later, she said, "The public's expectations for reform are high," adding, "The people's expectations are not for an authoritarian judiciary but for establishing a new judicial paradigm."

When Chief Justice Kim said, "I would appreciate it if the Ministry of Justice actively supports the various systems and bills the court intends to implement," Minister Choo responded, "The Ministry of Justice will do everything possible to ensure that you leave a lasting legacy."

Then, Chief Justice Kim remarked, "You have taken on an important position during difficult times. Everyone has high expectations that you will do well," to which Minister Choo replied, "It is a solemn time, so both my heart and shoulders feel heavy. However, the public's willingness to stand together gives me great strength."

Their meeting was open to the press only during the initial greetings, and the subsequent conversation was not disclosed. Although the Chief Justice ranks higher than the Minister of Justice in the national protocol, Minister Choo, who is a former judge, is one senior in the Judicial Research and Training Institute class compared to Chief Justice Kim. Minister Choo passed the bar exam in 1982 and served as a judge for about ten years starting in 1985.

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