Judicial Administration Office Recommends Two-Week Recess for Courts Nationwide... Second Time This Year (Comprehensive)

Inside the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, last February, when a recess was recommended due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originating from Daegu Shincheonji Church. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Supreme Court’s Judicial Administration Office recommended a recess to courts nationwide on the 21st as signs of a resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) appeared.

Kim In-gyeom, Deputy Director of the Judicial Administration Office, posted a notice on the court bulletin board that day, recommending that from the 24th, for at least two weeks, court dates for cases other than those requiring urgent attention (such as detention-related, injunctions, or suspension of execution) be postponed or rescheduled, effectively operating court dates as during a recess period.

Along with this, it was decided to temporarily close the Smart Work Centers where employees can work remotely outside their workplaces, and it was also recommended to suspend the operation of various facilities within the courts, including indoor and outdoor sports facilities, wedding halls, cafeterias, and cafes.

Deputy Director Kim said, "The active participation of all court family members is urgently needed," adding, "If all members of the court family respond with one united heart, I believe we will overcome the current difficult situation caused by COVID-19."

This is the second time the Judicial Administration Office has recommended a recess to courts nationwide. In February, when the government raised the COVID-19 crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious,' due to the spread originating from the Shincheonji Church in Daegu, a recess was recommended to courts nationwide. The recess period then lasted for four weeks.

Due to this recess recommendation, the Supreme Court’s Small Claims Division ruling scheduled for the 27th may also be postponed. Although the date has not yet been set, the ruling date for the full bench is also expected to be decided after a meeting of the justices.

Major trials scheduled to be held at the Seoul Central District Court, the largest district court in the country, may also see changes in their plans.

Cases related to allegations of abuse of judicial administrative power and various allegations involving former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk’s family are representative examples.

At the Seoul Central District Court, continuation trials related to judicial corruption are planned for the 24th and 25th for former Judicial Administration Office Director Im Jong-heon, and on the 26th and 28th for former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae. On the 27th, a continuation trial for former Planning and Coordination Office Director Lee Min-geol is also scheduled.

Trials involving former Minister Cho Kuk’s family were also scheduled consecutively, with the continuation trial for his wife, Professor Jung Kyung-shim of Dongyang University, on the 27th, and for Cho Kuk himself on the 28th.

However, even if the Judicial Administration Office recommends a recess, the final decision to change trial dates rests with the presiding judge, so not all trials will be postponed simultaneously.

A Judicial Administration Office official explained, "According to the principle of judicial independence, only the presiding judge can decide on changes to trial dates or recesses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.