National Judges Representatives Conference moves regular meeting up to the 30th of this month ... in response to ruling party pressure on the judiciary

[Financial News] The National Judges Representatives Conference has decided to bring forward its regular meeting, originally scheduled for December 7, to the 30th of this month. As the Democratic Party of Korea pushes for a parliamentary investigation into Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, attention is focused on whether representative judges from courts at all levels will unite around a position on judicial independence.
The National Judges Representatives Conference announced the decision on the 6th. In a vote among its members on the 4th, more voted in favor of moving the regular meeting up to the 30th of this month, and the change of date was confirmed after discussion by the steering committee. The conference’s rules provide for regular meetings on the second Monday in April and the first Monday in December each year, while allowing the date to be changed when necessary. Under the rules, the regular meeting had originally been scheduled for December 7, the first Monday in December.
The National Judges Representatives Conference is made up of representative judges elected by courts at all levels. Its role is to express opinions or make recommendations on judicial administration and judicial independence.
The meeting was brought forward by more than a week amid calls within the judiciary for courts to speak out against ruling party pressure on the judicial branch. The Democratic Party has been pressing for Chief Justice Cho’s resignation while pushing for a parliamentary investigation into him. Concerns have been raised within the courts that the investigation and impeachment discussions are exerting pressure on individual trials and judicial administration.
A series of statements emerged from within the courts starting on the 30th of last month. Seong Chan-yong, a judge at the Bucheon Branch of Incheon District Court, posted a message on CourtNet, the judiciary’s internal network, criticizing the ruling camp for infringing on judicial independence. The thrust of the post was that, even as judicial independence is at risk, people inside the courts have been excessively quiet. Comments expressing agreement were reportedly posted by judges ranging from rank-and-file judges to senior district court judges and court presidents. Cho Mi-yeon, chief of Cheongju District Court, also reportedly commented that it was now time to speak out.
Jeong Uk-do, a senior judge at Seoul Northern District Court, reportedly criticized the parliamentary investigation and impeachment discussions involving Chief Justice Cho in a post titled “To Officials in the Ruling Camp.” Jeong has criticized Chief Justice Cho’s response during the martial law crisis and has voiced the view that the judiciary needs to reflect on itself.
On the 3rd, Nam Jun-woo, a senior judge at Seoul Bankruptcy Court, reportedly posted a message titled “Silence Means Consent,” urging that an extraordinary meeting be held to address the controversy over the re-nomination of a Supreme Court justice.
The key question at the meeting on the 30th of this month is whether the National Judges Representatives Conference will adopt a unified position on judicial independence. Its resolutions are not legally binding, but the conference has symbolic significance as a forum representing the views of judges nationwide. Whether the agenda will also include the re-nomination controversy raised by Senior Judge Nam remains another question. The specific agenda and voting procedures have not yet been disclosed.


[email protected] Kim Dong-gyu Reporter