가인(街人) 김병로의 생애와 法治報國에 관한 연구 = A Study on Gain Kim Byeong-Ro`s Life, Constitutionalism Ideals, and Patriotism

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

When most law professionals were asked to select the most respectful senior jurist, they selected Gain Kim Byeong-ro, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This indicates that he lived a proper life as a jurist. However, the reason why junior jurists respected him is because he protected the independence of the judiciary from former president Lee Sung-man. President Lee held absolute power over the public as he was respected by the public as much as to be called the founder of the nation at that time as well as for his proper life. Lee Sung-man gradually took an authoritative style in governing the people although he was educated in the U.S., a democratic country, which caused an inevitable collision with the judiciary. At that time, Gain never hesitated to stand up as a bastion of the judiciary rather than live an easy and comfortable life. He had the firm belief that the independence of the judiciary is absolutely necessary to protect democracy. In comparison with the previous Chief Justices of the Supreme Court who were subordinate to power and the basic human rights of the public were trampled on since the May 16 Coup d`etat, we can understand how much of an effect one individual`s behavior had on historical development.