NAIROBI, Kenya — Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome has been honoured with the inaugural Sejong Legal Culture Award for her contribution to the rule of law, access to justice and protection of vulnerable groups.
Koome received the international honour on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at a ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in South Korea.
The award was jointly presented by the Supreme Court of Korea and the World Bank. Koome was named the first international recipient, while the Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations received the award as the first national recipient.
Koome Recognised for Judicial Reforms
The Supreme Court of Korea said Koome was recognised for her contribution to strengthening judicial independence, improving access to justice and protecting vulnerable members of society.
She was also recognised for efforts to modernise Kenya’s judicial system and expand access to judicial services.
Koome is Kenya’s first woman to serve as Chief Justice.
South Korean Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae said Koome had worked to protect the rights of women and children and expand access to justice.
He also cited judicial modernisation and efforts to strengthen public confidence in the justice system among the reasons for the recognition.
Award Inspired by King Sejong
The Sejong Legal Culture Award was established around the people-centred legal philosophy associated with King Sejong the Great, who ruled Korea during the 15th century.
The Supreme Court of Korea said the award seeks to honour individuals and organisations that contribute to the rule of law, development of legal culture and protection of vulnerable people.
It also recognises contributions to improving access to justice and strengthening international judicial cooperation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Justice Cho said laws and institutions should serve and protect ordinary people rather than function merely as instruments of governance.
He invoked King Sejong’s philosophy of minbon — placing the people at the centre of governance — and his emphasis on protecting vulnerable members of society.
Korean Legal Aid Centre Also Honoured
The Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations was named the national recipient of the inaugural award.
The organisation was recognised for about seven decades of providing legal aid and protecting vulnerable members of Korean society.
The Supreme Court of Korea described it as the country’s first legal aid institution.
The two recipients therefore represent the inaugural international and national categories established under the new award.
Award Created Through World Bank Partnership
The Sejong Legal Culture Award was jointly established by the Supreme Court of Korea and the World Bank.
According to the Korean Supreme Court, the idea emerged after World Bank Senior Vice President Christopher Stephens attended a Sejong international conference held in Korea in 2025 and heard a presentation on King Sejong.
The proposal was subsequently developed into the annual award programme.
The award ceremony formed part of the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific, being held in Seoul from September 16 to 19.
Chief justices and senior judicial officials from around 40 countries are attending the regional conference.
Koome’s Award Comes Amid Kenya-South Korea Judicial Cooperation
The recognition comes as Kenya and South Korea continue to explore closer cooperation between their judicial institutions.
Areas of potential collaboration include digital justice, artificial intelligence, case management, judicial training and technological innovation.
The Judiciary has also been exploring the use of technology and artificial intelligence to improve legal research, case management, efficiency and access to justice while maintaining safeguards for judicial independence and fundamental rights.
Kenya Hails International Recognition
The Kenyan Embassy in Seoul welcomed Koome’s recognition, describing it as an important milestone for Kenya’s Judiciary and women’s leadership.
The mission said the award highlighted Koome’s contribution to the rule of law, judicial independence, access to justice and protection of women, children and other vulnerable groups.
The recognition also comes as Kenya and South Korea seek to expand cooperation beyond the judicial sector, including in areas such as technology, health, agriculture and infrastructure.
Koome’s award places her among the inaugural recipients of a new international legal honour created to promote people-centred justice, the rule of law and protection of vulnerable members of society.
