Jo Hee-dae: "Pre-interrogation System for Search Warrants to Be Discussed at Supreme Court Justices' Meeting"

'Conditional Detention Warrant System' "Positive Review Needed"
'Long-term Unsolved Cases' to be Assigned to Court Chief First

Cho Hee-dae, the nominee for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, stated regarding the prior hearing system for search and seizure warrants, "I am considering discussing it at the meeting of Supreme Court justices."

Cho Hee-dae, nominee for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is taking an oath at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the parliamentary confirmation hearing on the 5th, Cho responded to Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party of Korea's question that "the prosecution requests search and seizure warrants, and the court issues them like a vending machine," by saying, "Currently, various procedures are being followed," and added, "It seems that additional procedures are still underway. Once all these procedures are completed, I plan to review the contents and discuss them at the meeting of Supreme Court justices."

Regarding the introduction of a conditional detention warrant system, Cho said, "I think it is necessary to positively consider it," but also expressed concern, saying, "I worry that if such a system is established, only the wealthy or powerful people might benefit from it."

In response to Rep. Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party's criticism that trials are being delayed in politically sensitive cases such as the Ulsan mayoral election interference allegations, Cho said, "In every specific trial, all judges think that they are putting their lifetime efforts and experience into the cases they handle," and explained, "However, when looking closely into the details of several cases that are currently under question, the evidentiary power of the investigation records has significantly diminished, so in actual trials, many witnesses are summoned and examined for extended periods."

Regarding Rep. Joo's remark that "an appropriate supervisory system should be established for long-term unresolved cases," Cho replied, "Upon assuming office as Chief Justice, I will first focus on the special management of long-term unresolved cases. Previously, court presidents did not preside over trials, but I plan to have court presidents take primary responsibility for trials and prioritize handling long-term unresolved cases."