New South Korean court official warns of outside pressure
· UPIJuly 14 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's new court administration chief warned Tuesday that growing outside pressure is making it more difficult for judges and other court employees to perform their duties independently.
Supreme Court Justice Roh Kyung-pil, 62, made the remarks during his inauguration as minister of the National Court Administration at the Supreme Court in Seoul.
"External pressure and burdens that make it difficult for judges to conduct independent trials and for court members to perform their duties in a stable manner are increasing," Roh said.
He said the National Court Administration would serve as a protective barrier so judges and other employees could carry out their responsibilities according to the law and their professional judgment.
"The National Court Administration will provide firm support so that all members of the judiciary can confidently perform their duties in accordance with laws and principles," Roh said.
He also pledged to strengthen personnel and material resources for judges and court employees working in difficult positions.
"The more demanding the position, the more we must reduce the burden, even slightly, so they can concentrate on their work," he said. "We will expand the necessary personnel and physical foundations and develop effective support measures."
Roh's appointment filled a position that had remained vacant for about four months.
Former court administration chief Park Young-jae resigned in February after the ruling bloc pushed three controversial judiciary bills through the National Assembly.
The measures included the creation of a criminal offense for intentionally distorting the law, a system allowing constitutional challenges to court judgments and an expansion of the number of Supreme Court justices.
Park stepped down in protest against the legislation.
Roh was born in Haenam County in South Jeolla Province. He graduated from Gwangju High School and Seoul National University's College of Law.
He was appointed as a judge in 1997 and later served as a Supreme Court research judge, a Seoul High Court judge and a presiding judge at the Gwangju and Suwon high courts.
Roh was appointed to the Supreme Court in August 2024.
The head of the National Court Administration oversees judicial administration under the direction of the chief justice and supervises court administrative operations and personnel.
The position does not involve directing judges' decisions in individual trials but carries significant responsibility for the judiciary's budget, staffing and administrative policies.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260714010005202