SECRET

3. Judiciary
a. Independence

Korea lacks a tradition of independent judiciary. Even thourh

the system of selection has been improved: since=the April Revolution, judges

are still potentially subject to political influence so long as they work for
low pay, and without tenure, especially in view of the life tenure enjoyed by
public prosecutors. A judge elected for a ten-year term at low pay is bound
to be more susceptible to politics and graft than an adequately-paid offic:
enjoyins job security. According to Korean observers, the lion's share of the
lawyer's fee commonly goes for bribes to judges and prosecutors.

Judges should be provided with a living wage and tenure at least equal
to that of the public prosecutors assigned to their carts.

ecommendat.ignt That the Korean government be urged to provide judges
with adequate salary and tenure at least equal to that of public prosecutors,

before the conclusion of a Status of Forces Agreement.