Chief Justice Jo urges new judges to uphold independence, fairness and integrity

Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae urged newly appointed judges Friday to never waver on the fundamental values of judicial independence, fairness and integrity "no matter what changes may come."

Jo made the remarks at an appointment ceremony held that afternoon at the Supreme Court's main auditorium in Seocho-gu, Seoul, for judges with five or more years of legal experience. "Our society and the judicial environment are changing rapidly, and public expectations and demands on the judiciary are higher than ever," he said.

A total of 146 judges were appointed at the ceremony. They were drawn from a range of legal backgrounds — 32 former prosecutors, 79 attorneys from law firms and similar practices, 7 in-house counsel, 8 public defenders, 16 from government agencies and public institutions, and 4 current judicial research clerks. Of the group, 62 are men and 84 are women, with an average age of 35.1. The new judges will undergo training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute from Tuesday through Feb. 19 next year before being assigned to courts at various levels on Feb. 22.

Jo placed particular emphasis on judicial independence. Citing Article 103 of the Constitution — which states that judges shall rule independently according to their conscience under the Constitution and laws — he said judicial independence "is not a privilege for individual judges, but a constitutional requirement to guarantee the people's right to a fair trial."

"Listen to the many voices in society," he said, "but at the moment of judgment, rule fairly and solely in accordance with the Constitution, the law and your own judicial conscience."

Jo also stressed the importance of timely rulings. "Delivering swift justice is an essential duty of the judiciary," he said. "If trials are not conducted in a timely manner, people will find it difficult to have their rights effectively protected." He urged the new judges to "deliberate thoroughly and reflect deeply, but press forward without unnecessary delay so that fair conclusions can be reached at the right time."

Jo also reminded the new judges that their every word and action serves as a measure of trust — to the parties in a trial, and by extension to the judiciary as a whole. "Maintain your dignity as a judge at all times and in all places, and hold yourselves to the strictest standard of integrity and fairness," he said.

He asked the judges to look beyond the legal arguments before them and consider the human circumstances behind each case. "What may be one case among many for a judge could be the single most important matter in a person's entire life," he said. "Look carefully at what hardships and pain lie behind the legal claims presented, listen to the end even to views that differ from your own, and check again and again whether any fact or perspective has been overlooked."

Jo acknowledged the weight of the role. "The path of a judge carries immense responsibility, and at times you must reach decisions in solitude and through intense deliberation," he said. "But protecting the rights of the people and realizing justice in our society is a precious calling that cannot be exchanged for anything."

He closed by asking the judges to carry with them the humility and resolve they felt when they first put on their robes Friday. "If each of you faithfully fulfills your duties and delivers thorough and fair trials, public trust will grow stronger and the future of the Republic of Korea's judiciary will grow brighter," he said.