529 Judges Reported Under Law-Distortion Crime; Supreme Court Appoints 10 Support Lawyers for Lawsuits

The National Court Administration of the Supreme Court has appointed 10 lawyers to support judges who have been unfairly accused or filed against for crimes such as law distortion.

The National Court Administration announced today (the 12th) that it "has appointed official duty lawsuit support lawyers to enable judges and court officials facing lawsuits related to their official duties to receive support in retaining legal counsel or legal representatives if they wish."

The National Court Administration explained the background, stating, "Recently, there has been an increase in undue external burdens, such as reckless complaints and accusations against judges and court officials, and groundless personal attacks. Consequently, concerns have grown that the essential functions of the judiciary—guaranteeing the freedom and rights of the people and trying cases independently according to law and conscience—might be diminished."

According to the announcement by the National Police Agency on the 24th of last month, 529 judges have been reported on charges of the law-distortion crime.

The law-distortion crime punishes criminal judges and others who intentionally distort and apply the law, and went into effect on March 12.

Within the judiciary, concerns have been raised over side effects such as deepening avoidance of criminal trial divisions, increased physical and mental fatigue among judges in charge of criminal trials, and heavier burdens on judges due to an increase in complaints, accusations, and unjust lawsuits.

In response, the National Court Administration revised its internal regulations last May to support sued judges and others in retaining legal counsel or legal representatives.

This appointment of official duty lawsuit support lawyers is part of those efforts.

The National Court Administration explained, "The appointees are individuals with abundant criminal case experience, expertise, and proven capabilities among former and current state-appointed defense counsel in major courts," adding, "They were selected based on recommendations from courts at all levels."

(Photo provided by National Court Administration, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.