Chief Justice Jo says judicial independence must be upheld 'no matter what challenges we face'

Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae said Thursday that judicial independence must be protected no matter what challenges arise.

Jo made the remarks in a welcome address at the 20th Asia-Pacific Chief Justices' Conference, held Thursday morning at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. "This is necessary for the judiciary to uphold democracy and the rule of law and to fulfill its essential role," he said.

Jo doubled down on the need for courts to hold firm to the law and principle. "In many countries, complex political and social disputes are increasingly being brought before the courts, and the public is placing ever-greater expectations on the judiciary," he said. "In such circumstances, courts must stand firm in upholding the law and principle."

"Every judge must have the courage to adjudicate solely in accordance with the law and principle, without fear, no matter what difficulties they face," he said, adding that chief justices bear a special responsibility to support judges in fulfilling that duty.

Jo said that, as many chief justices have emphasized, mutual respect and cooperation among the judiciary, the legislature and the administration are necessary for judicial functions to be carried out effectively. "Such cooperation helps resolve the complex and multifaceted conflicts of modern society," he said.

He went on to say, however, that "such cooperation must take place while respecting the distinct responsibilities of each institution and guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary."

Jo said the conference's agenda ultimately converges on a single question: how to defend the rule of law and protect fundamental rights while effectively responding to major social and technological changes — and what responsibilities the judiciary must fulfill in this era. "The underlying principle is the same for all: courts must preserve their independence," he said.

The 20th Asia-Pacific Chief Justices' Conference, which began Wednesday, runs through Sunday at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu and the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu. The conference brings together chief justices from across the region every two years to share experiences and policies on judicial systems and key issues.

This is the third time South Korea has hosted the conference, following the eighth session in 1999 and the 14th in 2011, making it the first country to host three times. This year's gathering drew chief justices and supreme court justices from about 30 countries, along with representatives from 13 international organizations.

Over the course of the conference, participants will discuss six topics: the role of the judiciary, the use of AI in the judiciary and the legal profession, the importance of judicial training in the modern judicial environment, judicial approaches to sexual and domestic violence, raising public awareness of courts, and the scope of court support for mediation.