Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court Martha Koome received the inaugural Sejong Legal Culture Award in Seoul, South Korea, in recognition of her contribution to the rule of law and access to justice.
Koome was honoured for her leadership in promoting judicial independence, strengthening access to justice and advancing the protection of women, children and other vulnerable groups.
The award draws inspiration from the people-centred approach to governance and justice associated with King Sejong the Great, whose legacy emphasised fairness, inclusion and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Chief Justice Martha Koome receiving her award. Photo: Courtesy.
The recognition also highlights Koome’s contribution to the legal sector and her efforts to ensure that the justice system remains accessible to members of the public.
Koome became Kenya’s first woman Chief Justice after her appointment to head the Judiciary in 2021, making her recognition in South Korea a significant milestone in her career and for women’s leadership in Kenya.
The award also comes as Kenya and South Korea continue to strengthen cooperation between their judicial institutions.
The two countries have explored areas of collaboration including technology, digital justice, judicial training and innovation aimed at improving the delivery of justice.
The Mission of the Republic of Korea in Kenya congratulated Koome on the award, describing the recognition as a reflection of shared values between Kenya and South Korea.
Notably, the award recognised Koome’s commitment to human dignity, fairness and inclusion, while also describing her achievement as a source of national pride.
The recognition was made during a gathering of judicial leaders in Seoul, bringing together Chief Justices and other senior judicial officials from across Asia and the Pacific.
Koome’s award marks the inaugural presentation of the Sejong Legal Culture Award and further highlights the growing relationship between the Kenyan and South Korean judiciaries.
