SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – A citizen jury to be manned by residents of Goheung County, South Jeolla Province, has been established in response to increased legal action within the community.
An excessive number of lawsuits have been filed in Goheung County pertaining to matters dealing with the area’s business development.
Rather than seeking to litigate, individuals with irreconcilable differences will have the option of submitting their dispute to the jury for review.
The county government issued a local ordinance to establish the citizen jury and gathered a list of nominees to serve as jurors. A term will last two years.
County governor Park Byung-jong said he came to feel the need for a citizen jury after a number of local disputes.
While hopes are high, some have expressed worry that the jury, without a means of enforcing its rulings, may only be the source of more strife.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)