Dec. 17 (Asia) -- A Korea University law professor warned that a package of judicial reform bills backed by South Korea's ruling party could weaken judicial independence and erode the separation of powers, saying "unchecked power leads to dictatorship."
Cha Jin-ah, a constitutional law specialist who previously served as a constitutional researcher at the Constitutional Court and advised the National Assembly's constitutional revision panel, said she supports some reform ideas in principle, including a limited increase in Supreme Court justices and a court petition system. But she said the details - and the push to process multiple bills at once - raise concerns about political intent and long-term consolidation of power.
The proposals include expanding the number of Supreme Court justices, creating an appellate court, establishing a special court for treason, introducing a crime of "distorting the law," abolishing the court administration office and creating a judicial administration committee.
Below are edited highlights from an interview with Cha conducted Tuesday.
Q: The ruling party says expanding the Supreme Court and introducing a court petition system are needed reforms. What is your view?
