Official Statement Expresses Concerns Following National Conference of Court Presidents
Attendance by 43 Leaders Including Cheon Dae-yeop, Chief Justice of the National Court Administration
Concerns Over Impact on Ongoing Insurrection Trials if Bills Are Enforced
Outlook: Rising Tensions Between National Assembly and Judiciary
Presidents of courts nationwide have officially expressed concerns, raising the possibility of unconstitutionality regarding the bills promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea to establish a dedicated court for insurrection cases and to introduce a new crime of judicial distortion.
On the 5th, attendees are saluting the national flag at the National Court Presidents' Meeting held in the Grand Conference Room of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.
On December 5, at the National Conference of Court Presidents held in the Grand Conference Room of the Supreme Court, 43 presidents and heads of courts and institutions from across the country, including Cheon Dae-yeop, Chief Justice of the National Court Administration, attended and discussed issues surrounding these judicial reform bills for more than six hours.
In a statement released immediately after the meeting, they said, "We are grateful that the unconstitutional martial law, which undermined the constitutional order, has been lifted, and we are acutely aware of the importance of the related trials and the public's concerns." However, they pointed out, "These bills could undermine the neutrality of trials and public trust in the judiciary, and consequently, infringe upon the right to a fair trial."
In particular, the court presidents expressed concern that the bills, which passed the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee under the leadership of the Democratic Party, could influence the ongoing trials related to insurrection charges against former President Yoon Suk-yeol and others. They stated, "If the bills are actually applied, trial delays and confusion will be inevitable."
They also appealed to the public, asking, "Please trust the judiciary and watch for the final verdicts, including the rulings of the first trial," and added, "Courts at all levels will spare no administrative and judicial support to ensure swift and focused trial proceedings."
This statement is interpreted as a strong expression of caution within the judiciary regarding the possibility of parliamentary intervention in judicial affairs. Both inside and outside legal circles, there are forecasts that tensions between the National Assembly and the judiciary may further escalate.
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