Supreme Court of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea | |
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Korean name | |
Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선민주주의인민공화국 최고재판소 |
Hancha | 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 最高裁判所 |
Revised Romanization | Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwagug choego jaepanso |
Country | North Korea |
Location | Pyongyang |
Composition method | Elected by the Supreme People's Assembly |
Authorized by | Constitution of North Korea |
Decisions are appealed to | No appeal |
Judge term length | Five years |
Number of positions | Unknown |
President | |
Currently | Kim Pyong-ryui |
First Vice-President | |
Currently | Kim Hwan |
The Supreme Court of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 최고재판소, formerly Central Court) is the supreme court and the highest organ in the judiciary of North Korea.
The Supreme Court is accountable for the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA). The SPA elects its justices, and the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly its chief justices and jurors.
Normally, the Supreme Court serves as the highest appellate court in North Korea, but in certain legal cases it is the court of first instance. These cases include crimes against the state. When it is the court of first instance, the court's decision is always final and cannot be appealed or challenged, despite this being considered an impediment on the right to a fair trial. Trials of foreigners are always held in the Supreme Court. A probable reason for this is to decide such cases quickly.
The Supreme Court has a separate chambers for criminal, civil, and special matters.
As the supreme court of North Korea, it is the highest organ of the judiciary of the country.
The Supreme Court is one of the two main components of the post-1945 judicial system, along with the Supreme Procurator's Office of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea . It does not exercise the power of judicial review over the constitutionality of executive or legislative actions nor does it have an activist role in protecting the constitutionally guaranteed rights of individuals against state actions.