No Kyung-pil (59, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 23) and Park Young-jae (55, class 22), the newly appointed Supreme Court Justices, were inaugurated on the 2nd. The two justices begin their six-year terms from this day.
The two justices held their inauguration ceremony at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon.
In his inaugural address, Justice No stated, "The Supreme Court, as the highest court, aims to fulfill its fundamental mission of resolving social conflicts and presenting the direction our society should take by declaring what the law is." He added, "In areas where individual rights such as freedom of expression and community values constantly clash, I will devote myself to understanding both opposing ends well and fairly weighing their significance."
Justice No particularly emphasized, "I will stand firmly against all unjust attacks that undermine fair trials carried out based on specific ideologies or factional logic, dedicating myself to protecting judicial independence and neutrality."
In his inaugural speech, Justice Park quoted the phrase 'Dapseol Yajunggeo,' a Zen poem attributed to Seosan Daesa, expressing his determination to "walk righteously toward justice." The verse introduced by Justice Park reads, "When walking across a snow-covered field, do not disturb the footprints. The path I walk now will become a landmark for those who follow."
Justice Park said, "Through the National Assembly confirmation process, I deeply felt the great expectations the public has for the judiciary," adding, "It would not be an exaggeration to say that trust in the judiciary depends on swift and fair trials." He further stated, "While engaging in trials, it is necessary to carefully consider the validity of the outcomes and proceed with procedures swiftly and fairly, while also showing consideration for the parties involved."
Moreover, he said, "Our Constitution assigns judicial power to judges who are not elected by popular vote among the three branches of government, eloquently underscoring that the judiciary's role and responsibility is to protect the socially vulnerable and minorities." He added, "Even when facing Supreme Court cases, I will listen attentively to the small voices." He continued, "By understanding and empathizing with those voices with an open mind, I will contribute to achieving true integration and development of our society."
With the inauguration of the two new justices, 11 out of the 12 Supreme Court Justice seats have been filled. Regarding Justice nominee Lee Sook-yeon, who faced allegations of 'clever inheritance' involving her children, the adoption of the appointment consent report failed yesterday due to disagreements between ruling and opposition parties. The Supreme Court's full bench consists of 13 members, including the Chief Justice and 12 justices, so it is expected that the vacancy of one justice will continue for the time being, likely delaying full bench rulings.
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