Supreme Court chief justice hopes for public debate on desirable judicial reform

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae answers reporters' questions as he arrives for work at the court in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae vowed Friday to seek the "right path" to judicial reform through sufficient discussions with the National Assembly as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is set to pass a set of reform bills.

Cho made the remark during a ceremony marking Korean Court's Day, in his first public comments on the DPK's push to reform the judiciary by more than doubling the number of Supreme Court justices, among other measures.

"I will fully present the judiciary's opinions to the National Assembly, and through communication and persuasion, seek the right path for the people," he said, adding the judiciary has recently been communicating with members of the legislature, government, academia and media to find the best ways to realize judicial justice.

"The judiciary will continue to fully present its opinions to the National Assembly based on past examples where the judiciary actively participated in improving key judicial systems, placing at the center the constitutional values of the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary," Cho said.

The judicial reform bills being pushed by the DPK call for increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from the current 14 to 30, overhauling the recommendation process for Supreme Court justices and evaluation method for judges, expanding public access to lower-court rulings and introducing a preexamination system for search and seizure warrants.

The party has said it aims to pass the bills before the extended Chuseok holiday that begins Oct. 3.

Cho stressed the importance of respecting the independence of the judiciary.

"In order for the judiciary to wholly fulfill its dedicated calling, the independence of trials must be firmly guaranteed above anything else," he said.

His remarks came shortly before heads of courts across the country were to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss their response to the ruling party's proposed reforms.

On his way to work, Cho told reporters he planned to listen to the opinions of judges through the meeting.

"As I always say, my wish is that there will be sufficient discussions through a public debate on the inherent functions of the judiciary, the reality of the current judiciary's manpower and what is most desirable for the people," he said.

The DPK has also sought to establish a special court to rule on cases resulting from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration in December.

During a press conference Thursday, President Lee Jae Myung balked at the Supreme Court's earlier opinion that such a court could be interpreted as unconstitutional.

"The Supreme Court is carrying out a comprehensive review" of the matter, Cho said.