Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae said on the 22nd that "King Sejong did not use the law as a governing tool to strengthen royal authority, but made it a normative foundation to improve the quality of life of the people and to guarantee their rights."
In his opening address at the "Sejong International Conference" hosted by the Supreme Court at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, that day, Chief Justice Cho said, "King Sejong's judicial philosophy transcends time and closely aligns with the values of the judiciary that we should pursue today."
The Sejong International Conference is an international event hosted by the Supreme Court to shed light on King Sejong's spirit of the rule of law. Chief justices and justices from more than 10 countries, including Singapore, Japan, China, the Philippines, Australia, Greece, and Italy, as well as former and current presidents and judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), attended.
Chief Justice Cho said, "Even amid the rapidly changing currents of the times, I hope we can share wisdom to steadfastly uphold the spirit of the rule of law and judicial independence and open a future where justice and fairness are vibrant."
He added, "I hope we can share wisdom to open a future where justice and fairness are vibrant," and said, "Let us work together to find ways to ensure that the law is truly applied equally to everyone and that the rights of the socially vulnerable and minorities are substantively guaranteed."
Chief Justice Cho said, "Legal professionals handle cases involving human life, bodily integrity, and property, and furthermore bear the noble duty of protecting the freedom and rights of the socially vulnerable and minorities," adding, "Therefore, above all, they must possess deep respect for human beings and a delicate sensitivity toward the socially vulnerable."
He also said, "Legal professionals have a duty to handle every case consistently and with utmost sincerity and must make steady efforts without fail."