Kim Myung-soo "Difficult to Agree on Trial Delays Due to Abolition of High Court Chief"… "Regret Over Appeal System Improvement"

The Past 6 Years of 'Cheopcheopsanjung', 'Noshimchosa', and 'Bulmyeonbulhyu'
"After Retirement, I Will Find Work for Myself... I Will Not Practice Law"
"I Will Diligently Cooperate with Prosecutors' Investigations Following Proper Procedures"

On the 24th, Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo, who is retiring after a six-year term, expressed difficulty in readily agreeing with the criticism that the abolition of the 'High Court Chief Judge Promotion System' caused trial delays. He said the most regrettable issue during his term was the 'improvement of the appellate system.'

According to the legal community on the 1st, Chief Justice Kim made these remarks at a press conference with reporters the day before.

On the 31st of last month, Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo spoke at a press conference held at the Supreme Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul.
[Photo by the Supreme Court]

In response to a question that "the media points to the abolition of the High Court Chief Judge Promotion System and the Court President Candidate Recommendation System as causes of trial delays," Chief Justice Kim said, "It is difficult to readily agree that the abolition of the High Court Chief Judge system caused trial delays," adding, "from my long experience as a judge, it is unthinkable that a judge would perform their duties wholeheartedly only when there is a promotion system and not otherwise."

He also said, "There may be opinions that the Court President Candidate Recommendation System is somewhat related to (trial delays), but I do not think that because someone became a court president through recommendation, it would be difficult to encourage trials," adding, "I believe those recommended as court presidents are capable of giving advice and counsel on judicial administration, and I think we have a system to select such people."

He continued, "Previously, if a district court judge did not become a high court chief judge, most would resign," and added, "since local judges now have opportunities to become senior chiefs or court presidents, I think it serves as a motivation for capable and excellent people to work harder."

Chief Justice Kim recalled, "In my inaugural speech, I said we should reflect on whether we have focused too much on the speed and volume of trials. Of course, promptness and efficiency are important, but we should strive to conduct trials through thorough deliberation and make them trials that move the public."

He cited the insufficient number of judges and trial suspensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic as causes that worsened trial delays.

When asked about the most regrettable aspect during his term, Chief Justice Kim answered, "Institutionally, the most regrettable part is the improvement of the appellate system."

He said, "In my inaugural speech, I also said I would focus on improving the appellate system. In fact, there are various theories such as increasing the number of Supreme Court justices, the review appeal system, and the bifurcation of the leave-to-appeal system, each with clear pros and cons," adding, "After discussions, the Appellate System Improvement Special Committee under the Judicial Administration Advisory Council was launched and studied, researched, reviewed, and held public hearings for over two years, but it was really difficult to unify the opinions."

Chief Justice Kim said, "So, only in January this year could we propose increasing the number of justices and adopting the appellate review system," adding, "Some said it was a bit late, but I hope such matters can be decided and completed more easily."

A press conference held on the 31st of last month at the Supreme Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul. [Photo by the Supreme Court]

When asked to express the past six years in a four-character idiom, Chief Justice Kim chose 'Cheopcheopsanjung' (meaning 'mountains upon mountains').

He said, "The past six years were really eventful. The first thought that came to mind was 'Cheopcheopsanjung,' meaning 'there are mountains even after crossing a mountain, and still more mountains beyond that,'" adding, "

But I don't think it was 'Orimujung' (meaning 'complete confusion'). I think I had a direction to go, but many tasks awaited and had to be overcome."

He also said, "During that process, I really couldn't rest, and it felt like six years of 'Noshimchosa' (anxious worry), 'Bulmyeonbulhyu' (sleepless and tireless), without proper sleep or rest. I worked with the spirit of 'Ugongisan' (the determination to move mountains through perseverance)."

When asked about his plans after retirement, Chief Justice Kim said, "I have been a judge for 40 years and have never really looked sideways at anything else, but although it may be late, I want to find out what I really like. I will look for what I will do for myself, not for others." He added, "I will not become a lawyer."

Regarding a question about his stance on Supreme Court nominee Lee Kyun-yong's recent statement on the 23rd about "restoring the recently collapsed judicial trust and trial authority," Chief Justice Kim refrained from commenting. However, he said, "Since there are merits and demerits during my tenure, if there were faults, overcoming them, and if there were achievements, building upon them is the job of my successor," adding, "I ask that they work to create a better court."

He recalled the early period of his term, when investigations and prosecution into the abuse of judicial administrative power took place, as the most difficult time.

Chief Justice Kim said, "That period was the hardest time for me, truly sleepless," adding, "There were multiple additional investigations, and when the results came out, there were parts I accepted, but I had many doubts about whether it was a problem we could solve internally."

He continued, "After much thought and consultation with others, we issued a statement to cooperate with the investigation and implemented it," adding, "Regarding the court's acquittal and referral to disciplinary procedures, I must say I was never at ease."

Nevertheless, he said regarding cooperation with the prosecution's investigation into the judicial scandal involving former Seoul High Court Chief Judge Lim Seong-geun, "I would make the same decision if I were to go back to that time."

When asked about the ongoing prosecution investigation into false explanations during the process of refusing to accept former Chief Judge Lim's resignation, which was pushed for impeachment by the Democratic Party in the National Assembly, Chief Justice Kim said, "Since the investigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment," but added, "In principle, if the investigation proceeds through proper procedures, I will certainly cooperate sincerely."

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