Central Court (North Korea)

Central Court
Map
LocationPyongyang, North Korea
Composition methodElected by the Supreme People's Assembly
Authorised byConstitution of North Korea
Judge term lengthFive years
Number of positionsUnknown
President
CurrentlyChoe Kun-yong
First Vice-President
Central Court of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Chosŏn'gŭl
조선민주주의인민공화국 중앙재판소
Hancha
朝鮮民主主義人民共和國中央裁判所
Revised RomanizationJoseonminjujuuiinmingonghwagung jungangjaepanso
McCune–ReischauerChosŏnminjujuŭiinmin'gonghwagung chungangjaep'anso

The Central Court is the supreme court and the highest organ in the judiciary of North Korea.

The Court is accountable to the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA). The SPA elects its justices, and the SPA Standing Committee elects its chief justices and jurors.

Normally, the Central 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, which is considered an impediment on the right to a fair trial. Trials of foreigners are always held in the Central Court. A probable reason for this is to decide such cases quickly.

The Central Court has separate chambers for criminal, civil, and special matters.