Supreme Court Hosts 'Sejong International Conference'
Chief Justice Offers Indirect Critique Amid Ruling Bloc's Calls for Resignation
"We Must Steadfastly Uphold the Spirit of the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence"
Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae, who is under pressure to resign from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 22nd, "King Sejong regarded the law not as a tool for strengthening royal authority, but as a normative foundation to improve the lives of the people and guarantee their rights."
Chief Justice Cho made these remarks at the '2025 Sejong International Conference' held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on the morning of September 22, emphasizing that "King Sejong strived to realize a just and fair judiciary."
Amid continued pressure from the ruling bloc, including calls for his resignation based on the so-called 'four-person meeting theory' related to the Supreme Court's en banc decision on President Lee Jaemyung's Public Official Election Act case, Chief Justice Cho appeared to offer an indirect critique. However, he did not make any specific or direct comments regarding the current issues.
Chief Justice Cho further stated, "(King Sejong) made sure that the people were fully informed about the proclamation and enforcement of laws. Before implementing public laws, he gathered public opinion nationwide to reflect the will of the people," adding, "Even in rapidly changing times, I hope we can share the wisdom needed to steadfastly uphold the spirit of the rule of law and judicial independence, and to build a future where justice and fairness are truly alive."
He continued, "King Sejong's judicial philosophy, which placed the people at its center, transcends time and deeply aligns with the values that our judiciary should pursue. I hope this conference, held in honor of King Sejong's legal philosophy, will serve as an opportunity to reaffirm and reflect on the ideals of the rule of law and the judiciary."
Meanwhile, the event hosted by the Supreme Court brought together chief justices and justices from more than ten countries to present and discuss the theme of 'Enhancing the Rule of Law and Judicial Accessibility.'
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