A meeting of chief judges of courts nationwide is being held at a resort in Jecheon, Chungbuk on the 12th. [Supreme Court]

Chief judges of courts nationwide agreed that they "must minimize side effects on the public through the revision of relevant laws and regulations" amid concerns over practical confusion related to the trial review system, which took effect on the 12th.

Regarding the implementation of the crime of distorting justice, they shared the view that measures are needed to protect and support criminal judges who would be subject to its application. Measures such as establishing a committee for judge protection, introducing specialized criminal judges, and increasing allowances related to criminal trials were discussed.

A meeting of chief judges of courts nationwide is being held at a resort in Jecheon, Chungbuk on the 12th. 2026.3.12 [Supreme Court]

The Court Administration and Management Office, under the Supreme Court, held a regular, closed-door meeting of chief judges of courts nationwide in Jecheon, Chungbuk, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. today. A total of 44 participants, including chief judges of courts at all levels nationwide, attended, presided over by Kim Si-cheol (19th class of Judicial Research and Training Institute), President of the Judicial Research and Training Institute.

In his opening remarks, Ki Woo-jong (26th class), Deputy Director of the Court Administration and Management Office, stated, "The passage of the three laws for judicial system reform is fundamentally changing the judicial system, and there are deep concerns about this. I urge you to pool your wisdom so that the judiciary can regain trust and prepare substantive alternatives."

The agenda items for today were: ▲ Follow-up measures for judicial system reform ▲ Support measures for criminal judges due to the crime of distorting justice. This year's meeting omitted the main issue reports and proceeded directly to related presentations and discussions.

The Court Administration and Management Office stated regarding the trial review system in today's discussion: "Despite its significant impact on people's lives and the entire judicial system, the meaning of the revised legal provisions is unclear, and related legal amendments have not been made concurrently, raising concerns about potential confusion in trial practice and system operation after the law takes effect."

Anticipated practical issues discussed included ▲ procedures for sending trial records at the trial review stage, and the method for the judiciary to submit opinions, and ▲ follow-up procedures for trials that are annulled upon acceptance of the trial review, and the effect of execution carried out based on a finalized trial.

In response, the chief judges reportedly agreed that "side effects on the public must be minimized through the revision of relevant laws and regulations and consultations with related organizations."

Regarding the bill to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from the current 14 to 26 by 2030 (amended Court Organization Act), discussions were held on changes to the composition of Supreme Court panels and trial methods, prevention of the deterioration of factual investigations, and the necessity of creating material environments such as court buildings. In particular, specific proposals were exchanged to prevent the deterioration of factual investigations, including an increase in the number of judges, the introduction of a senior judge system, and an increase in the number of judicial researchers.

Start of the meeting of chief judges of courts nationwide [Yonhap News]

Regarding the "crime of distorting justice" (amended Criminal Act), which has raised the greatest concerns among judges on the front lines, an in-depth discussion was held on support measures for criminal judges.

The chief judges agreed on the need for "effective protective and support measures for criminal judges" to prevent a situation where the phenomenon of criminal trial departments being avoided intensifies due to increased external burdens such as complaints and indictments against criminal judges after the introduction of the crime of distorting justice, and difficulties in criminal trials are exacerbated, thereby effectively restricting the public's "right to a speedy and fair trial." They emphasized that the judiciary's essential function of independent adjudication based on law and conscience must not be undermined.

Accordingly, measures to protect criminal judges were discussed, including ▲ expansion of the budget for litigation support related to their duties ▲ establishment and operation of a committee to promote judicial independence through judge protection ▲ strengthening the protection of personal information ▲ and support for judges at each stage of proceedings, including the creation of manuals.

Furthermore, various measures were discussed in a multifaceted manner as support for criminal judges, including ▲ priority placement of judicial researchers ▲ introduction of specialized criminal judges ▲ and an increase in allowances related to criminal trials.

The chief judges of courts nationwide also voiced their opinion that the Court Administration and Management Office should comprehensively review the discussion content and promptly devise measures for concrete follow-up procedures, and actively engage in consultations with external organizations.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae enters the banquet hall for the meeting of chief judges of courts nationwide [Yonhap News]

On the second day of the meeting, the 13th, discussions are scheduled to take place on "The necessity of developing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance public access to judicial services and phased implementation tasks."

The plan is to discuss practical measures to improve public access to and convenience of judicial services by introducing public AI services that the general public can experience, such as intelligent judgment search services and intelligent bots.