The Korean Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice and 13 Justices. The Chief Justice, appointed by the President and confirmed by the National Assembly, serves a six-year term. One of the 13 Justices concurrently serves as the Minister of National Court Administration (NCA), overseeing the administrative functions of the judiciary. Justices do not participate in Supreme Court proceedings during their term as the Minister.

The Court as the highest court in Korea's judicial branch, serves as the court of last resort. It reviews appeals from the high courts, the Intellectual Property High Court, and appellate panels of district courts in civil, criminal, administrative, insolvency, patent, domestic, and family cases. In certain situations, the Supreme Court may also review decisions from district courts through extraordinary appeals.

The Supreme Court hears cases as a full court (en banc) or in a panel of three or more Justices. Each panel, known as a petit bench, consists of four Justices and the court operates three such panels. Typically, a panel first hears a case, which must reach a unanimous decision. If the panel fails to do so, the full court reviews the case. In full court sessions, the Chief Justice presides, and at least two-thirds of the Justices must be present. Decisions are reached by majority vote.

In addition, if the appellant's grounds for appeal do not meet the legal requirements, the Court dismisses the appeal without further review and without stating reasons. This process, known as Discontinuation of Adjudication, does not apply to criminal appeals.

Judicial administration includes the administrative management of court affairs, including organization, human resources, budgets, accounting, facilities, etc., necessary to operate the Judiciary. The Chief Justice exercises general control over judicial administrative affairs and directs and supervises the officials concerned in regard thereof. The Chief Justice may delegate part of the authority to direct and supervise to the Minister of National Court Administration, the chief judge of each court, the President of Judicial Research and Training Institute, the President of Training Institute for Court Officials, or the President of Supreme Court Library. Important judicial administrative affairs require resolution by the Council of Supreme Court Justices.

The Council of Supreme Court Justices is the highest deliberative body in judicial administration. The Council is composed of all the Justices and presided over by the Chief Justice. A resolution of the Council requires a quorum of more than two-thirds of all the Justices and the consent of a majority of the members present. The Chief Justice has a vote on a resolution and, in the event of a tie, the casting vote.

The Supreme Court is authorized to establish rules and regulations, pursuant to its judicial law-making powers, regarding judicial proceedings, court discipline, and the management of court operations, provided these are not inconsistent with existing law.

In the Supreme Court, there is a judicial research team composed of judges and professional legal researchers who conduct research on cases appealed to the court.