S. Korea’s Chief Justice Resigns as Judges Urge Independent Courts

The chief justice of South Korea’s Supreme Court, Kim Yong Chul, resigned Friday after hundreds of judges demanded that he step down to pave the way for democratic reforms and an independent judicial system.

“I did my best to develop the judiciary, but I failed because of incompetence and lack of virtue on my part,” Kim, 63, told a news conference. He said was responsible for loss of public confidence in the nation’s courts.

The government, which earlier planned to retain Kim, decided to accept his offer to resign and was seeking a successor, said KBS, the state-run radio-television network.

On Wednesday, judges in Seoul called for drastic judicial reforms and an overhaul of the nation’s highest court. More than 280 judges nationwide endorsed the statement.

The judges said the judiciary has been subservient to the executive branch of the government and out of step with the democratic reforms transforming most aspects of South Korean society. In the past, South Korean courts played a key role in helping enforce authoritarian rule.

Many authoritarian controls on politics and other aspects of South Korean life have been dismantled during the past year after nationwide riots last summer against the government of former President Chun Doo Hwan.

The government of President Roh Tae Woo, which took office Feb. 25, has pledged to introduce full democracy.

Judges calling for Kim’s resignation said they issued the statement because the Supreme Court soon will be reorganized under a new constitution, with the chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly.

Law groups and opposition political parties also expressed their support of the judges’ call for judicial reforms.