Supreme Court to Launch 'Court Interpretation Center' in Second Half of Year... Reducing Interpretation Gaps Between Regions

The Supreme Court will establish a court interpretation center in the second half of this year to guarantee the right to a fair trial for migrant foreigners and the hearing impaired. The plan aims to address the demand for court interpretation in local courts based on video interpretation methods and to narrow the gap in interpretation services across regions.

The Supreme Court's Court Administration Office recently approved the "Partial Amendment to the Rules on Court Office Organization," laying the foundation for the launch of the first court interpretation center.

[Image source=Beomryul Newspaper]

The goal is to set up the center at the Seoul Eastern District Court on July 1 this year. The center will have five professional interpreters specializing in Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, English, and sign language working full-time. For cases in courts at all levels where appropriate interpreters are deemed unavailable, the center will provide video and on-site interpretation and translation services. Additionally, it will support △ interpretation and translation necessary for meetings between public defenders and defendants △ evaluation of interpreted recordings △ translation of foreign legislation and case law materials.

The court plans to respond to the demand for court interpretation nationwide through video interpretation via the court interpretation center. Interpreters at the center will participate in interpreting for local courts through video interpretation.

Currently, the court operates a system of court interpreters and translators. In the metropolitan area, there is an abundance of skilled interpreters and translators, making it relatively easy to secure interpreters for courts located in the metropolitan area. However, it has been continuously pointed out that it is difficult to secure interpreters for courts located in local areas.

A Supreme Court official stated, "We expect that the launch of the interpretation center will reduce the gap in interpretation services across regions."

Hong Yunji, Legal Times Reporter

※This article is based on content supplied by Law Times.