Seoul Central District Court designates two Equal Judgement Chambers solely for serious crimes of rebellion
The Seoul Central District Court has established two trial chambers composed entirely of senior judges to handle cases of rebellion-related crimes.
The Seoul Central District Court has decided to create two Equal Judgement Chambers with senior judges dedicated specifically to cases of rebellion under the newly passed law governing criminal procedures for such crimes. This decision follows a meeting on September 9, where the court announced that these chambers would consist of three judges each, all with over ten years of judicial experience, to ensure expertise and continuity. The plan is part of the court’s commitment to enhance the efficiency and integrity of the judicial process involving serious crimes against the state, such as rebellion, treason, and sedition.
The creation of these dedicated chambers is mandated by the recently enacted 'Special Act on Criminal Procedures for Crimes of Rebellion, Treason, and Insurrection', which requires that cases be assigned to these chambers for both first and second trials. Historically, Seoul Central District Court’s cases have typically been reviewed by a panel consisting of one presiding judge and two associate judges; however, there have been instances where cases were later reassigned to more senior panels to ensure appropriate handling. The introduction of these chambers marks a significant shift in the court's structure and is reflective of the need to increase the quality of judicial oversight in politically sensitive cases.
In preparation for the upcoming cases, the court has designated judges Nam Se-jin and Lee Jeong-jae as responsible for handling rebellion warrants until October 22, indicating a proactive approach to managing the anticipated legal proceedings. Additionally, the Seoul High Court has also set up its own trial chambers as part of this initiative. Overall, this move signifies a more robust legal framework aimed at addressing serious political crimes while maintaining judicial independence and expertise in sensitive matters.