Judges Submit Inquiry on 'Code Personnel' to Supreme Court... Nationwide Judges' Representative Meeting Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Representatives of judges nationwide have reportedly requested the Supreme Court to explain whether the recent regular personnel appointments were appropriate.

According to the legal community on the 11th, the National Judges' Representatives Meeting sent an inquiry letter to the Court Administration Office asking whether the criteria for the regular personnel appointments align with existing principles and practices. The inquiry letter included questions from judge representatives regarding issues such as some court chiefs being continuously appointed beyond their fixed two-year term, and several judges who had completed their terms as heads of district court branches returning directly to the appellate courts (Seoul Central, Eastern, Southern, Northern, and Western District Courts) contrary to customary practice.

It appears that the perspective within some parts of the judiciary, which suggests that the Supreme Court granted preferential treatment in personnel appointments by placing close associates of Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo, including members of the International Human Rights Law Research Association, in key positions, is reflected in the inquiry. A representative of the Judges' Representatives Meeting explained, "No specific personnel were mentioned in the inquiry letter, and requests for explanations regarding personnel matters have been made at every meeting."

The response is expected to be heard at the "2022 First Half Regular Meeting" held by the National Judges' Representatives Meeting at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the same day. Of the 123 judge representatives, 117 will attend the meeting either online or offline. Judges are expected to raise issues regarding whether the personnel appointments were appropriate, as outlined in the inquiry letter.

Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo will also attend the meeting and deliver a greeting. The Chief Personnel Review Officer of the Court Administration Office is scheduled to provide an explanation regarding the personnel appointments.