Advice to New Judges: Stay Independent

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Lee Yong-hoon and Public Prosecutor General Jeong Sang-myeong stressed the importance of “trials acceptable to the public” and “investigations acceptable to the public,” respectively, at a new judge appointment ceremony on February 20.

“Trials should produce judgments which most of the public can accept,” Lee said as he handed out appointment letters to 206 new judges.

His remark stirred up controversy within and outside the court following his recent criticism of the decision handed down in the first Doosan Group’s slush fund trial.

“You should always keep in mind that it is the public who grants jurisdiction to judges,” Lee said to the newly appointed judges. “Trials should proceed in the name of the public, not the judges.”

He added, “You can’t call a trial good trial just because its rulings are fair and universally valid. Judgments are lifeless if you cannot feel a sense of humanity in them.”

Lee also said, “The court has had the painful experience of failing to maintain the independence of judges, a key element of independent judicial power. You should have a firm determination to make whatever sacrifices necessary in order to preserve the independence of judges.”