Chief judges from courts nationwide began two days of discussions starting on the 12th on follow-up measures to the so-called "three judicial reform laws." The agenda includes the introduction of the crime of judicial distortion, the implementation of appeals to challenge court rulings, and measures by the judiciary in response to the increase in the number of Supreme Court justices.
The National Court Administration of the Supreme Court began a closed-door regular nationwide chief judges' meeting around 2 p.m. at Forest Resom in Jecheon, North Chungcheong, on the day. The meeting runs through the 13th.
The meeting was chaired by Judicial Research and Training Institute President Kim Si-cheol. Forty-five chief judges from courts nationwide attended, along with National Court Administration Vice Minister Kiu Jong and bureau and Director General-level officials. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de was also said to be planning to visit the venue to deliver remarks.
The agenda consists of three items: follow-up measures in line with judicial system reform; support measures for criminal court judges following the introduction of the crime of judicial distortion; and the need to develop artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public access to judicial services and a phased roadmap for implementation. Of these, two items directly related to the three judicial reform laws were reported to be discussed on the day.
The National Court Administration plans to distribute a related press release after the meeting concludes.
On the day, the electronic official gazette carried and promulgated the revised Criminal Act establishing the crime of judicial distortion, the revised Constitutional Court Act allowing constitutional complaints against court rulings, and the revised Court Organization Act increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from the current 14 to 26. The crime of judicial distortion and appeals to challenge court rulings took effect upon promulgation, and the increase in Supreme Court justices will take effect in Mar. 2028.
Inside and outside the judiciary, many see the changes as likely to have a significant impact across the judicial system. As concerns are raised about confusion and side effects in the early stage of implementation, some also note the need to refine procedures and prepare support measures at the operational stage.
Previously, as the Democratic Party of Korea moved in earnest to pass the three judicial reform laws, the nationwide chief judges held an emergency meeting on the 25th of last month and said, "We express deep regret over the current situation in which the bills have been placed on the plenary session's agenda without public debate or deliberation, despite the judiciary's expressions of concern."