Chief Justice Jo Hee-de on the 23rd again voiced concern over the Democratic Party of Korea's so-called "three major judicial reform bills" being brought to a plenary vote, saying, "A decision should be made after sufficient debate."
Meeting reporters on the way to work at the Supreme Court building in Seocho District, Seoul, that morning, the chief justice was asked about the "three judicial reform bills" and said, "These bills fundamentally change the framework of the judicial system that has continued for nearly 80 years since the establishment of the judiciary in the Republic of Korea."
In particular, the chief justice said, "This is a grave matter that may fall under constitutional amendment issues and could directly cause harm to the public," adding, "Some cite the case of Germany, but our Constitution is completely different from Germany's." The remarks are seen as again stressing concern over introducing the so-called "appeal of judgments," which would include court trials among the subjects of constitutional complaint review.
The chief justice went on to say, "Through public discussion, we should hear a wide range of opinions from experts across sectors and from the public, and I would like to reiterate to the people and the National Assembly that it is desirable to decide after sufficient debate."
The Democratic Party of Korea the previous day, at a general assembly of its lawmakers, agreed to handle the "three judicial reform bills" (crime of legal distortion, appeal of judgments system, and increase in Supreme Court justices) at the plenary session as passed by The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The bills are expected to be introduced and handled at plenary sessions to be held from the 24th to the 3rd of next month.
On the way to work on the 12th, the chief justice also referred to the related bills as "an issue that would cause enormous harm to the public," emphasizing the need for public discussion.
The Democratic Party of Korea's so-called "three major judicial reform bills" consist of amendments to the Criminal Act (creating the crime of legal distortion), the Constitutional Court Act (introducing the appeal of judgments system), and the Court Organization Act (increasing Supreme Court justices)..
The proposal to create the crime of legal distortion chiefly targets for punishment acts such as: ▲ judges or prosecutors intentionally misapplying statutes; ▲ using concealed or forged evidence in trials or investigations; or ▲ using illegally obtained evidence. The proposal to introduce the appeal of judgments system would, under certain conditions, include court trials—currently excluded from constitutional complaints—among the matters subject to review by the Constitutional Court. The proposal to increase Supreme Court justices would raise the current number of justices from 14 to 26.