The National Conference of Judges is being held at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on the 13th. [Yonhap News]

At the first meeting held after the promulgation of the 'Three Judicial Laws' (Crime of Perverting Justice, Appeal to the Court, Increase in Supreme Court Justices), representatives of judges across the country expressed regret over the revision of the Three Judicial Laws without sufficient discussion and raised concerns about the expected side effects and confusion.

Judges specifically pointed to the delay in dispute resolution due to appeals to the court, the weakening of factual review due to the increase in Supreme Court justices, and the infringement of the right to a speedy and fair trial due to the implementation of the crime of perverting justice as practical issues.

The National Conference of Judges held its first meeting of the year at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, at 10 a.m. on the 13th, and passed the 'Final Opinion on the Three Judicial Laws' with the approval of more than half of the attending judges. The meeting continued until around 6 p.m.

The National Conference of Judges is a body where representative judges elected from courts of all levels gather to express opinions or make recommendations regarding judicial administration and judicial independence.

Regarding the promulgation of the Three Judicial Laws, the judges stated, "We deeply feel the need to restore public trust in the judiciary and recognize our heavy responsibility," adding, "However, we express our opinions on the side effects and confusion that the revised laws may bring."

They first expressed their position: "We express regret that laws that could fundamentally reform the judicial system were revised without broader and more sufficient discussion."

They further stated, "We share the understanding that situations where the people's right to a speedy and fair trial is infringed upon should not occur due to the delay in the final resolution of disputes caused by appeals to the court, the weakening of factual review due to a large increase in Supreme Court justices in a short period, and indiscriminate complaints and accusations, as well as political misuse, due to the crime of perverting justice."

Judicial representatives specifically urged comprehensive measures to prevent the intimidation of trials due to unjust complaints and accusations against criminal judges who could be subject to the application of the crime of perverting justice.

They also announced that each subcommittee under the National Conference of Judges would actively research and discuss the problems and countermeasures of the revised laws, including the crime of perverting justice.

The agenda for expressing opinions on the Three Judicial Laws, proposed on the 10th, was formally put on the table this day after being put forward on-site and gaining the consent of 10 or more members.

It is reported that there were contrasting opinions at the meeting regarding whether to express an opinion in the name of the National Conference of Judges: some felt that "expressing an opinion would have little meaning since the law has already been implemented," while others argued that "nevertheless, an opinion should be expressed and publicized."

Even if an opinion were expressed, they engaged in lengthy discussions about whether to add specific content to the existing proposal or revise the wording, and the final proposal was prepared after several rounds of voting.

The National Conference of Judges is being held at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on the 13th. [Yonhap News]

On this day, the National Conference of Judges also requested explanations from the Court Administration Office regarding the following: ▲ the revision process of the Three Judicial Laws and the Court Administration Office's follow-up measures after implementation; ▲ the progress of ongoing additional judicial revision bills and the Court Administration Office's opinions; ▲ the status and future plans of personnel dispatched to the Constitutional Court; and ▲ specific details regarding recent limitations on budget items.

Officials from the Court Administration Office, including the Director-General of Planning and Coordination, who attended the meeting online and offline, stated that as a countermeasure to the introduction of the crime of perverting justice, they would consider establishing a 'Judicial Litigation Support Center.' This would be a type of 'control tower' to support judges facing complaints and accusations by recruiting judicial officers with legal qualifications.

The Administration Office also explained that the 'Criminal Trial Support Task Force (TF),' a countermeasure to the crime of perverting justice, is meeting every two weeks to research and produce manuals for each stage of progress, cooperate with other agencies, and establish interpretation standards.

Attendees are engaged in a serious discussion at the National Conference of Judges held at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on the 13th. [Yonhap News]

In the morning of this day, the National Conference of Judges elected Judge Kang Dong-won (56, 31st graduating class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute) of the Seoul Family Court as the new chairman and Judge Cho Jeong-min (45, 35th class) of the Bucheon Branch Court as the vice-chairman.

Chairman-elect Kang began his judicial career in 2009 after working as a lawyer, having completed the Judicial Research and Training Institute in 2002.

He is known for his stable personality and diligent performance of judicial duties and has not publicly revealed his political leanings.

Judge Song Seung-yong (52, 29th class) of the Seoul Central District Court, who ran for chairman but lost, is known for his relatively strong voice on current judicial issues.

In May of last year, he sharply criticized the 'Cho Hee-dae Supreme Court' following the Supreme Court's full bench decision to remand the presidential election law case of Lee Jae-myung.

The election of Chairman Kang is interpreted as reflecting the will of judges who prefer a stable operational approach.