Judges" Appointments to Reflect Character Over Test Scores

The Supreme Court said on Monday that it is considering reflecting a judge's basic knowledge and demeanor in the selection process, partly deviating from its current system which judges prospective judges based on scores attained in state law examinations and training results from the Judicial Research and Training Institute.
An official at the court stated that the court plans to shift its methodology in appointing a judge more in the direction of evaluating his general knowledge, common sense and overall disposition as the number of judicial apprentices has been rising year after year.
He added that there is a growing concern about junior judges' personal qualities especially after a junior judge drew serious criticism by putting his personal writings related to the highly-charged skirmishes between South and North Korea in the West Sea on an Internet site.
The court also said that it will work on ways to appoint more lawyers who have displayed astute ability and excellent character as judges from next year.
Seo Jang-soo:jsbee@joongang.co.kr