Chief Justice Kim Myung-su: "Good Trials and Courts Show Tangible Results"

Chief Justice Kim to Retire on the 24th of This Month... "Must Accept Public Criticism"

Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo, who is set to retire on the 24th of this month, stated, "We must not be complacent with small visible achievements and should humbly accept the criticism from the public."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th, at the 9th ‘Day of the Courts of the Republic of Korea’ ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Chief Justice Kim said, "Among the reform tasks we initially aimed to achieve for ‘good trials’ and ‘good courts,’ some have already shown tangible results, but I am well aware that there were also unforeseen difficulties and criticisms from various sectors of society during the process." He added, "I urge all members of the judiciary to remember that doing their best in their roles is the only way to fulfill the mission entrusted to us by the people and to continue their efforts."

He continued, "The public’s harsh criticism due to the abuse of judicial administrative power was bitter, and the restoration of trust in the judiciary seemed distant," emphasizing, "In the face of an unprecedented crisis, we have heard the solemn command of the people to achieve true judicial independence through judicial reform."

He went on, "The judiciary may still appear insufficient and lacking, but this is by no means because the judiciary’s will to reform has been broken or because we are complacent with the current situation," and requested, "I ask the public to continue to take an interest in these sincere efforts of the judiciary and to send warm support."

The ‘Day of the Courts of the Republic of Korea’ commemorates September 13, 1948, when Korea regained judicial sovereignty by receiving judicial authority from the U.S. military government after independence. The courts have held commemorative events since 2015.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary confirmation hearing for Lee Gyun-yong, the nominee for Chief Justice succeeding Kim Myung-soo, will be held on the 19th and 20th.

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