Noh Kyung-pil, the new Chief Justice Administrator (23rd Judicial Research and Training Institute), stated, "External pressures and burdens that make it difficult for judges to conduct independent trials and for court personnel to perform their duties are increasing." He emphasized his commitment to creating an environment where court members can focus on their work.
During his inauguration ceremony on July 14 at the Supreme Court's Mugunghwa Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Noh said, "To provide quality judicial services to the public, court personnel must work in a stable and healthy environment." He pledged to be a strong support for all court members to perform their duties with conviction, in accordance with the law and principles.
He also highlighted the need to alleviate burdens in challenging positions, stating, "I will expand human and material resources and establish effective support measures to allow personnel to focus on their duties."
Referring to the recent tragic death of Judge Shin Jong-oh, who was handling the appeal of the Kim Geon-hee case, Noh expressed his condolences, saying, "It was a heartbreaking event to lose a judge who had diligently performed his duties. I extend my deepest sympathies to all court personnel who have quietly endured these difficulties and pains."
Noh expressed his intention to listen to the public's voice regarding judicial reforms, stating, "The significant changes we face in the judicial system should prompt us to reflect on whether we have adequately met the public's interest and expectations."
He added, "I will begin my mission by attentively listening to each voice from the public, understanding their intentions, and reflecting them in our work. By upholding the values of the rule of law and the Constitution while communicating closely with the public, we can become a more trusted judiciary."
Noh mentioned efforts to improve the management system for long-standing unresolved cases, introduce a system for managing expert procedures, increase trial personnel, and reform administrative distribution, stating, "We will guarantee the basic rights of the public through prompt and fair trials."
He also noted that improving the judicial system using artificial intelligence (AI) will enhance the efficiency of trial work and significantly increase public access to justice. He pledged to pursue various improvements to ensure human rights protection and thorough trials within the criminal justice process.
Noh took office four months after former Chief Justice Park Young-jae resigned in February in protest against the legislative push for the 'three judicial laws' (laws on distortion of law, judicial review, and increasing the number of Supreme Court justices).
Noh was appointed as a judge in 1997 and has served as a research judge at the Supreme Court, a judge at the Seoul High Court, a chief judge at the Gwangju High Court, and a chief presiding judge at the Suwon High Court before being appointed as a Supreme Court Justice in August 2024.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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