Cho Hee-dae on Ruling Party's Judicial Reform Bill: 'The Judiciary Will Fully Express Its Views During Public Discussions'

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae stated that the judiciary will ensure its opinions are fully expressed during the public discussion process regarding the Judicial Reform Bill announced by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).
At approximately 9:06 a.m. on the 21st, as he arrived at the Supreme Court of Korea in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Chief Justice Cho responded to questions from reporters about the Judicial Reform Bill unveiled the previous day, saying as much.
When asked about concerns that increasing the number of Justices of the Supreme Court of Korea could create unnecessary layers of procedure between panels, he replied, 'We will discuss this thoroughly internally and address it again in the future.'
This marks the first time Chief Justice Cho has commented on the DPK’s Judicial Reform Bill, which includes increasing the number of Justices of the Supreme Court of Korea and improving the Judicial Performance Evaluation System.
The Special Committee on Judicial Reform of the DPK revealed a plan the previous day to increase the number of Justices of the Supreme Court of Korea from the current 14 to 26, and to reorganize the court into six small panels and two grand panels.
The Chief Justice will participate in both grand panels, each consisting of 13 members (12 Justices of the Supreme Court of Korea plus the Chief Justice), and these panels will operate similarly to the current full bench. For cases with significant social impact, a panel comprising at least two-thirds of the 26 justices will be formed to deliberate.
The increase in the number of justices will occur over three years, with four new justices appointed each year, starting one year after the bill is enacted. If the bill passes during the current administration, President Lee Jae Myung would appoint 22 justices.
Other proposed measures include improvements to the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee, enhancements to the Judicial Performance Evaluation System, expanded Disclosure of Lower Court Judgments, and the introduction of a Pre-Interrogation System for Search and Seizure Warrants.
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter