Court Administration Office Reviews Abolition of 'Kim Myeong-su's' Judicial Administrative Advisory Council

Since the inauguration of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, the Judicial Administration Advisory Council has not been convened even once, leading to speculation that it is effectively being phased out. Amid this, the Supreme Court’s Judicial Administration Office has decided to consider operating a 'Judicial Policy Advisory Committee' to replace the 'Judicial Administration Advisory Council' introduced during former Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo’s tenure.

Supreme Court, Seocho-dong, Seoul.

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On the morning of the 5th, Deputy Director Bae Hyung-won of the Judicial Administration Office posted a message titled “Guidance on the Judicial Administration Advisory Body” on the court’s internal network 'CourtNet,' stating, “We have instructed the Judicial Administration Office to conduct research and review whether it is appropriate to continue maintaining the Judicial Administration Advisory Council and what would be a desirable body to replace it.”

Deputy Director Bae said, “Through research on the contents and legislative intent of the Court Organization Act, the introduction process, operation, and achievements of various past judicial administration advisory bodies, we are considering that operating a Judicial Policy Advisory Committee based on Article 25 of the Court Organization Act is a priority advisory measure faithful to law and principles.”

He added, “In this process, we also highly evaluate the improvements in transparency and fairness of judicial administration achieved through the Judicial Administration Advisory Council and intend to reflect the need to progressively inherit its achievements. We will listen carefully to and consider any opinions from court members for transparent judicial administration.”

The Judicial Administration Advisory Council was established in September 2019 with the aim of decentralizing judicial administrative power. Former Chief Justice Kim intended to abolish the Judicial Administration Office and introduce the Judicial Administration Advisory Council, but due to slow legislation, it was temporarily established through rule amendments. The bill to establish the Judicial Administration Council was discarded due to the expiration of the 20th National Assembly’s term and legislation remains difficult in the 21st National Assembly. Accordingly, the Judicial Administration Office has been deliberating whether it is appropriate to maintain a body without legal grounds.

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