The South Korea Supreme Court's Administrative Office has proposed the creation of a task force that aims to prepare for potential issues arising from the implementation of several judicial reforms, particularly the newly defined 'distortion of law' offense. On October 16, Deputy Chief Ki Woo-jong emphasized that the judiciary must uphold citizens' freedoms and rights while protecting constitutional norms, and cautioned that the new laws could lead to a chilling effect on judges’ bravery to adjudicate cases. The necessity for robust measures to prevent any intimidation of judges was discussed during a recent meeting of court leaders.

In light of the 'distortion of law' offense, the task force will focus on ensuring that judges can carry out their duties without fear, aiming to promote active engagement in trials. Ki indicated that plans would be drawn up to secure the necessary resources and institutional arrangements, assisting judges in adhering strictly to the law and their conscience while carrying out their roles in the criminal justice process. It is hoped that this task force will alleviate concerns surrounding potential repercussions judges might face under the new offense, thereby reinforcing judicial independence.

Additionally, regarding the introduction of the 'trial petition,' there is a plan to establish a follow-up research group within the judiciary to address the legislative changes. Ki acknowledged that the rapid implementation of the amended constitutional court law lacked adequate preparatory measures and left many legal ambiguities needing systematic examination. The court aims for collaboration with related agencies to develop reasonable arrangements, particularly stressing the need to adapt quickly to ensure efficient trial practices and uphold the credibility of the judicial system in South Korea as discussions continue around increasing the number of Supreme Court Justices from 14 to 26, illustrating a broader ambition for judicial reform and enhancement of judicial capacity.