Noh Kyungpil Inaugurated as New Chief Secretary of Court Administration: "Establishing AI Judicial System, Easing Burden of Trials"

"Strengthening Communication with the Public...
Building a Judiciary that Earns Trust"

Noh Kyungpil, New Chief of the Court Administration Office. Yonhap News Agency

Noh Kyungpil, the newly appointed Chief Secretary of the Court Administration (aged 62, Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 23), has announced plans to strengthen communication with the public and develop a judicial system utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).

At his inauguration ceremony held on July 14 at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Noh stated, "The recent major changes in the judicial system have prompted reflection on whether the judiciary has failed to fully meet the public's interest and expectations," adding, "By upholding constitutional values while communicating closely with the public, the judiciary can become even more trusted."

He particularly emphasized the use of AI to improve the efficiency of trials and enhance public access to the judicial system. He outlined initiatives such as establishing an online support system for the Rehabilitation Court, strengthening the guardianship and welfare functions of the Family Court, expanding specialized courts such as the Maritime International Commercial Court, and pursuing improvements to ensure human rights protections and substantive trials within criminal judicial procedures.

He also expressed his intention to improve the working environment for court personnel. Referring to a recent incident involving the death of a judge, Noh stated, "There is growing external pressure and burden that hinders judges' independence in trials and the stable performance of their duties," and added, "We will develop effective support measures going forward."

Noh was appointed as a judge in 1997 and has served as a judicial researcher at the Supreme Court, a judge at the Seoul High Court, presiding judge at the Gwangju High Court, presiding and senior presiding judge at the Suwon High Court, and was appointed as a Supreme Court justice in August 2024.

Meanwhile, with Noh's inauguration, the position of Chief Secretary of the Court Administration has been filled after being vacant for over four months. The Chief Secretary oversees judicial administration work and is concurrently held by one of the Supreme Court justices. His predecessor, Supreme Court Justice Park Youngjae (Class 22, aged 56), took office in January but resigned after just 42 days, citing the aftermath of the passage of three key judicial reform bills.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.