Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome has received a new international honour in South Korea, becoming the first recipient from outside the country of the inaugural Sejong Legal Culture Award.
The recognition was conferred on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a ceremony in Seoul, where Koome was honoured for her contribution to the rule of law, access to justice, judicial independence and the protection of vulnerable people.
The award was jointly presented by the Supreme Court of Korea and the World Bank.
Koome, Kenya’s first woman Chief Justice, was selected as the award’s inaugural international recipient. At the same ceremony, the Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations became the first national recipient after being recognised for seven decades of offering legal aid and supporting vulnerable members of society.
The award draws from the people-centred legal philosophy associated with King Sejong the Great and his belief that laws and public institutions should serve ordinary people.
South Korean Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae said the philosophy behind the award was based on the need for legal systems to protect citizens and help them exercise their rights.
“Laws and institutions should not merely be tools of governance, but must be used to care for and protect the lives of the people,” Jo said during the ceremony.
Jo also referred to King Sejong’s creation of Hunminjeongeum, the writing system that later developed into modern Hangeul.
He said the system gave ordinary people a means of communicating and pursuing their rights, including when dealing with legal disputes.
According to Jo, the principle remains relevant to justice systems today, particularly in making sure vulnerable people are able to access legal protection.
Koome was recognised for efforts aimed at making justice more accessible to the public, strengthening judicial independence and introducing changes to modernise the Judiciary.
Her work in protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, also formed part of the recognition.
The honour comes as Kenya and South Korea continue to build closer links between their judicial institutions.
Earlier in September, Koome met South Korean Ambassador to Kenya Kang Hyungshik to discuss ways of expanding cooperation between the two judiciaries.
Their discussions identified digital justice, artificial intelligence, case management, judicial training and innovation as areas where the two countries could work more closely.
Koome has said justice and the rule of law should remain part of the broader Kenya-South Korea partnership, which also includes cooperation in technology, health, agriculture and infrastructure.
The Kenyan Judiciary is also exploring the responsible application of artificial intelligence in its operations, with the technology being considered for areas such as improving efficiency, legal research, access to justice and service delivery.
The Judiciary has maintained that the use of such technology must also protect judicial independence, fairness and fundamental rights.
The inaugural Sejong Legal Culture Award ceremony was held in Seoul on September 16, 2026.
The Kenya Embassy in Seoul welcomed Koome’s recognition, saying it was an important milestone for the Kenyan Judiciary and for Kenyan women holding leadership positions internationally.
The Mission said the award reflected Koome’s commitment to the rule of law, access to justice, judicial independence and the protection of women, children and other vulnerable members of society.
It also described the recognition as a milestone in the strengthening relationship between the judiciaries of Kenya and South Korea.