● Court Interpreter and Translator Certification Test in October 2019
- Court Interpreter and Translator Certification Test was held on Saturday, October 26, 2019 after conclusion of service contract with the Interpretation and Translation Research Institute of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
- Comprised of written test (multiple choice and translation) and oral test (conversation interpretation, consecutive interpretation and sight interpretation)
- Total 23 languages, 416 examinees
● Certification Test Results
- Announcement of applicants who passed the certification test: Monday, December 2, 2019
- Certified interpreters and translators: 82 people who satisfied the evaluation criteria
- Quasi-certified interpreters and translators: 102 people who did not fully satisfy the evaluation criteria but considered highly proficient in the language
● Outcome Analysis
1. Secured pool of competent interpreters and translators
- Discovered new interpreters and translators who were not on the courts’ list of interpreters and translators
2. Secured interpreters and translators who use relatively minor languages in Korea
- Russian, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Arabic, Cambodian, German
● Effect of the Certification
1. Certification
- Period: 2 years (January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021)
- Renewal: Subject to maximum 2 year renewal in consideration of the interpretation and translation experiences, evaluation of the trial chambers, compliance with work ethics, completion of training courses, etc.
2. Quasi-certification
- Although it does not have the effect of full certification, quasi-certified interpreters and translators are also considered highly proficient in the language, and each court will find effective ways to work with them
Revision of Rules
- In order to ensure continuity of the certification tests in the future, legal provisions on court interpreter and translator certification were inserted into the Rule on Interpretation and Translation and Disposition of Foreigner Cases
- The new provisions enable each court to take the certified interpreters and translators into consideration when creating their list of court interpreters and translators
- The certification will be taken into consideration for increased payment rates for interpretation and translation
● Sharing the List of Certified Interpreters and Translators in Nationwide Courts
- List of certified interpreters and translators will be shared between the courts across the country for effectiveness
● Future Plans
- Plans to provide training for interpreters and translators at all courts in 2020
- Plans to carry out Court Interpreter and Translator Certification Test in 2020 |
