Is Full Public Disclosure of Court Rulings on the Horizon?

Published 22 Apr.2026 16:10(KST)

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Amid ongoing calls from the legal community for full public disclosure of court rulings, the Judicial Policy Research Institute under the Supreme Court will hold an academic conference on May 27, focused on the topic of "disclosure of court rulings." This marks the first time the Judicial Policy Research Institute is hosting an academic conference specifically about the disclosure of court rulings. The legal sector is paying close attention to whether this event will lead to a significant expansion in the scope of disclosure, potentially resulting in full public access to court judgments.

The Judicial Policy Research Institute (Director: Lee Seungryeon), in collaboration with the Law Times (CEO: Lee Soohyeong), will host an academic conference titled "Practical Issues in the Court Ruling Disclosure System" at Cheongsim Hall on the first floor of the Seoul Court Complex in Seocho-gu, Seoul, at 2 p.m. on May 27. Director Lee Seungryeon (Judicial Research and Training Institute, 20th class) will deliver the opening remarks, Deputy Director of the National Court Administration Kiwujong (26th class) will give a congratulatory address, and CEO Lee Soohyeong will give the welcoming remarks.

The theme of the first session is "The Current Status and Future Directions of the Court Ruling Disclosure System." The presentation will be delivered by Lee Junghyun (40th class), Chief Judge of the Tongyeong Branch, and the panel discussion will include Kim Jaenam (41st class), Judge at the Incheon District Court; Lee Muryong, Professor at Seoul National University Law School; and Park Jihwan (2nd bar exam), Attorney at Law at Hyukshin Law Firm.

The second session will focus on "The Commercial Use of Court Ruling Information and Its Limitations." The session will feature a presentation by Park Cheolhong (40th class), Chief Judge of the Suncheon Branch, followed by a panel discussion with Kim Guyul (5th bar exam), Prosecutor at the Ministry of Justice; Choi Kyungjin, Professor at Gachon University Law School; and Lee Jin (38th class), CEO and Attorney at LBOX.

The moderator for both sessions will be Lee Youngchang (28th class), High Court Judge at the Seoul High Court. The overall conference will be moderated by Park Jinwook (42nd class), Public Relations Research Fellow at the Judicial Policy Research Institute.

Within the legal community, there have been consistent calls for full public disclosure of court rulings. Advocates argue that full disclosure would enable the industrialization of the legal sector and allow for judicial and public oversight of court decisions. Expanding the disclosure of lower court rulings was also one of President Lee Jaemyung's campaign promises during the presidential election.

Legal experts also believe that expanding the scope of court ruling disclosure would lead to greater transparency in trials and help restore public trust in the judiciary. One High Court judge stated, "While disclosing court rulings does raise concerns about personal information protection, we should move toward allowing the public to access court rulings at any time. This approach will help restore trust in the judiciary and fulfill the public's right to know."

Previously, the Law Times highlighted the necessity of full public disclosure of court rulings and the response from the legal sector in its 2024 New Year special series, "Toward Full Disclosure of Court Rulings."

Suyoun Park, Law Times Reporter