Cho Hee-dae, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, stated that the value of the 'rule of law' is increasingly important as the judicial system undergoes significant changes. He made these remarks during his speech at the 34th Lawyers' Conference for the Rule of Law, held on August 24 at the Grand Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.
In his address, Cho emphasized, "The courts have a duty to exercise the judicial authority entrusted to them by the people in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and their conscience, thereby effectively realizing the rule of law." He added, "The judiciary will steadfastly pursue its fundamental mission of providing 'swift and fair trials.'"
He also highlighted the judiciary's efforts to protect citizens' rights, noting that the Supreme Court clarified in February that the right to confidentiality between lawyers and clients is a core aspect of the constitutional right to legal assistance. This ruling established a foundation for protecting citizens' rights by denying the admissibility of evidence obtained in violation of this right.
Cho mentioned the 'Timely Processing of Civil Cases' pilot program implemented this year at the Seoul Central District Court and Changwon District Court, aimed at preventing citizens from suffering irreparable harm by missing critical legal protections.
He acknowledged the various concerns raised regarding recent changes in the judicial system, stating, "The judiciary takes these concerns seriously. We will always listen to the voices of the people and work closely with legal professionals, including bar associations, to ensure that the judicial system serves the public interest."
In his speech, Kim Sang-hwan, President of the Constitutional Court, emphasized the significance of the newly implemented judicial review system that began in March.
Kim stated, "The judicial review system requires all legal professionals involved in interpreting and implementing the law to recognize the supreme normative value of the Constitution more clearly and to reflect on their judgments through the 'lens of the Constitution.'"
He added, "While the judicial system must continuously evolve to keep pace with changing times, no change should deviate from the values upheld by the Constitution and the protection of citizens' fundamental rights. The principles ensuring that all citizens can effectively protect their rights through fair procedures must remain intact."
Kim further stated, "The Constitutional Court will also diligently fulfill its responsibilities to ensure that citizens' fundamental rights are effectively protected in line with the changing social environment and judicial system."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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