Kim Myung-soo: "We Will Take One More Step This Year for Judicial Reform"

Chief Justice Kim: "Judicial Reform Must Be Achieved Under Horizontal Leadership"

On the 2nd, at the New Year's ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su is delivering the New Year's address. / Provided by the Supreme Court

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo stated, "We are on a long and arduous path to fully overcome the old structures and practices that have already outlived their usefulness, and to firmly establish new judicial systems and cultures that align with the changes of the times."

Chief Justice Kim emphasized the importance of judicial reform in his New Year's address on the 2nd. His term as Chief Justice runs until this September.

He said that judicial reform must be based on democratic and horizontal leadership. Chief Justice Kim stated, "By establishing a foundation for judicial administration that properly reflects the opinions of the people and members of the judiciary,

we must continue to advance tirelessly this year to become a court that fulfills the noble mission entrusted by the sovereign people."

He added, "The Judicial Administration Advisory Council and its subcommittees will strive to prepare practical improvement measures such as the proper drafting of judgments," and "I hope that the National Judges' Representatives Meeting and the National Court Presidents' Meeting will firmly establish themselves as constructive judicial bodies that present rational and effective alternatives by serving as a melting pot that integrates diverse opinions of the judiciary to realize 'good trials.'"

Chief Justice Kim also mentioned the 'Court President Candidate Recommendation System,' which will be expanded to all district courts starting this year. He said, "(The Court President Candidate Recommendation System) will solidify the dual-track judicial personnel system and further strengthen the foundation of transparent and democratic judicial administration," adding, "Although it is not yet perfect and there are areas that need improvement, I ask the members of the judiciary to unite their strength and wisdom to ensure the new system is well established."

Furthermore, Chief Justice Kim evaluated that since his inauguration, he has accelerated reforms to create a transparent judiciary. He stated, "Since taking office, believing that having a horizontal and transparent judiciary is itself a noble right of the people and the starting point for protecting the constitutional mission of judicial independence, I have continued efforts to reform the bureaucratic and closed structure of the courts, return the judiciary to the people, and become a judiciary that looks solely to the people."

He continued, "As I promised the people and members of the judiciary at the beginning, although progress may be slow, I intend to take another step forward this year on the irreversible path of judicial reform for the people," emphasizing, "I will never stop until the day I complete my term to create a judiciary that is trusted and loved by the people through the realization of 'good trials.'"

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