On September 26, 2017, the Chief Justice KIM Myeong-su was sworn in as the 16th Chief Justice at the Grand Auditorium of the Supreme Court.

Upon graduation from Seoul National University School of Law in 1981, Chief Justice Kim passed the National Judicial Examination in 1983 and began his judgeship at Northern Branch Court of Seoul District Court in 1986.  He was inaugurated as the 16th Chief Justice on September 26, 2017 during his service as the Chief Judge of Chuncheon District Court as assigned from February, 2016.

In his inauguration speech, the new Chief Justice expressed his determined resolution that: “I will commit myself with passion to accomplish the missions of judicial integration and reform for the Judiciary to be truly esteemed and trusted by the citizens. The change in the Judiciary has only begun here and now, and I shall gather the wisdom and will from all members of the Judiciary under just and transparent procedures.”

Chief Justice KIM Myeong-su began his six-year term as the new Chief Justice from September 25, 2017.