Supreme Court Recommends 3-Week Recess for All Courts Nationwide... Excluding Detention and Stay of Execution Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The Court Administration Office has recommended a three-week recess to courts nationwide in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 21st, Kim In-gyeom, Deputy Director of the Court Administration Office, announced through the court bulletin board, "From the 22nd to January 11th, we ask presiding judges to actively consider flexible operation measures equivalent to a recess period, such as postponing or changing trial and execution dates."

However, urgent cases such as detention-related matters, provisional injunctions, and suspension of execution are excluded from the recess recommendation. Accordingly, the trial scheduled for the 22nd regarding the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's disciplinary action is expected to proceed as planned.

In addition, judicial staff are encouraged to actively utilize telecommuting at least twice a week and to refrain from interregional travel during the recess period as much as possible. Previous measures such as mandatory indoor mask-wearing and prohibition of gatherings remain in effect.

Meanwhile, this recommendation was decided by the COVID-19 Response Committee established within the Court Administration Office last February. Deputy Director Kim serves as the chairman of the COVID-19 Response Committee. He stated, "As seen in the recent mass infection case at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, there is no place within courts nationwide that can be considered safe."

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