Experts in constitutional law from across Asia gathered in Seoul to strengthen the values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in the region.
On May 19, the Asian Constitutional Courts Consortium (AACC), led by Chief Justice Kim Sang-hwan, held the opening ceremony of its 5th International Conference at the Westin Chosun Seoul, marking the beginning of a two-day official agenda.
The conference featured over 50 experts, including Chief Justice Kim, Justice Kim Hyung-doo, and AACC Secretary General Son In-hyuk, who represented major domestic institutions and member courts from 15 AACC member organizations.
In his opening remarks, Chief Justice Kim highlighted the remarkable growth of the AACC, stating, "What began as a small initiative with a memorandum of understanding among four institutions in 2007 has now evolved into a global regional consortium with 22 member organizations. This is evidence of how deeply Asia has cooperated to uphold universal values."
He further emphasized the importance of maintaining democratic principles and the practical value of the rule of law in the face of recent international developments, stating, "In a rapidly changing international environment, our most pressing mission is to uphold democratic principles and implement the true value of the rule of law. I hope the insights gained from this conference will serve as a foundation for further protecting the fundamental rights of Asian citizens."
Following him, Son In-hyuk, Secretary General of the AACC, introduced the specific goals and session structure of the conference.
Son explained, "Since its establishment in 2017, the research office has laid a solid foundation for constitutional justice in Asia through annual international conferences and research reports."
The main theme of the 5th conference is 'Recent Trends and Issues in Constitutional Law.' The agenda includes three sessions and a comprehensive session.
The AACC aims to enhance collaborative responses to constitutional challenges faced by Asian countries based on the research outcomes accumulated during this conference.
In particular, the Constitutional Court of Korea plans to continue supporting the academic and practical efforts of member institutions through the activities of the research office, reinforcing its role as a center for cooperation in the rule of law in Asia.
After two days of intense discussions, participants will consolidate their discussions in a comprehensive session to derive future values that Asian constitutional courts should pursue.
This conference is expected to serve as a significant milestone in forming a constitutional community in the Asian region, going beyond mere academic exchange.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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