The Supreme Court National Court Administration is set to host a three-day public hearing, commencing on the 9th, at the Cheongshim Hall within the Seoul Court Complex. The central theme of this significant event is “Judicial System Reform for the People – Directions and Tasks.” The primary objective is to facilitate a comprehensive discussion on the direction of institutional design, especially in light of ongoing judicial reforms being deliberated upon within the National Assembly. To ensure broad accessibility, the proceedings of the public hearing will be broadcast live via the Supreme Court’s official YouTube channel.
Day 1: Tasks for Judicial System Reform
The inaugural day will be dedicated to exploring the “Tasks for Judicial System Reform for the People.” Kim Jae-nam, Senior Judge of the Civil Support Division 1 at the National Court Administration, will oversee the day’s proceedings as the overall moderator. The event will commence with opening remarks from Chun Dae-yup, head of the National Court Administration. Congratulatory addresses will follow from key figures, including Jung Sung-ho, Minister of Justice; Kim Jeong-wook, president of the Korean Bar Association; and Choi Bong-kyung, president of the Korean Law School Professors Association.
Morning Session: Current Status and Issues of Trials
Judge Ki Woo-jong of the Incheon Branch of the Seoul High Court will present an analysis of the “Current Status and Issues of Our Trials.” Following the presentation, a panel discussion will delve deeper into the topic, featuring contributions from Professor Kong Du-hyeon of Seoul National University Law School, Kim Ki-won, senior vice president of the Seoul Bar Association, and other distinguished experts.
Afternoon Session: Strengthening Fairness and Transparency
The afternoon session will shift focus to strategies for “Strengthening Fairness and Transparency in the Judiciary.” Key topics will include expanding the scope of lower court judgment disclosures and increasing the availability of trial broadcasts. Presentations will be delivered by Professor Lee Joon-beop of Inha University Law School and Presiding Judge Yoo Ha-ram of the Incheon District Court. The ensuing discussion will involve Son Heung-soo, a member of the Korean Bar Association’s Legislation Committee, and Yoo Seung-ik, director of the Judicial Monitoring Center at People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, among other participants.
Expanding Public Participation
The final segment of the day will address the theme of “Expanding Public Participation in the Judiciary.” Discussions will center on proposed plans to establish specialized labor courts and to enhance citizen involvement in trial proceedings. Presiding Judge Lee Jong-gil of the Daegu District Court and Professor Kwon Oh-seong of Yonsei University Law School will present their perspectives. The discussions will be further enriched by the participation of Presiding Judge Jo Jeong-min of the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Court and Family Court, Professor Hong Jin-young of Seoul National University Law School, and Professor Choi Jeong-eun of Chung-Ang University Law School.
Day 2: Guaranteeing Human Rights and Reforming the Appeal System
The second day, the 10th, will be dedicated to the crucial aspects of “Guaranteeing Human Rights and Reforming the Appeal System.” This will include a thorough examination of proposals aimed at increasing the number of justices within the judicial system. This session promises to be a critical evaluation of the structure and function of the appellate process.
Day 3: The Path Forward for the Korean Judiciary
The concluding day, the 11th, will feature a comprehensive two-hour discussion centered on the theme “The Path Forward for the Korean Judiciary.” Kim Sun-soo, a distinguished professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute and a former justice, will moderate this pivotal session. The panel of participants will include prominent legal scholars and practitioners:
Moon Hyung-bae, former constitutional justice of the Constitutional Court.
Park Eun-jung, emeritus professor at Ewha Womans University Law School and former head of the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission.
Cho Jae-yeon, distinguished professor at Sungkyunkwan University Law School.
This final discussion is expected to synthesize the insights gained throughout the public hearing and chart a course for the future development of the Korean judicial system. The diverse perspectives of the panelists will ensure a robust and nuanced exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing the judiciary.
