Juries Come to South Korea

In approximately one week, South Korea will hear its first jury trial. Like with other countries in Asia (Japan will again use juries starting in 2009), South Korea has gone to the jury system in an effort to provide greater transparency and increased faith in the legal process. While based on the U.S. model, the South Korean jury has some very unique differences.

For example:
(1) The juries will vary in size depending on the complexity of the case;
(2) The jurors will participate in sentencing; and
(3) The juror verdicts will be based on majority votes and non-binding (at least in this initial trial period).

I will try to provide updates about South Korean juries as they become available.