1939. Born in Gangneung, Gangwon-do

1961. Passed the 13th National Higher Civil Service Examination, Judicial Section

1965. Judge of Busan District Court

1978. Research Judge of the Supreme Court

1979. Chief Judge of Hongseong Branch Court of Daejeon District Court

1981. Presiding Judge of Seoul High Court

1986. Chief Judge of Northern Branch Court of Seoul District Court

1991. Chief Judge of Seoul Civil District Court

1992. Justice of the Supreme Court

1993. Minister of National Court Administration

1997. Chairperson of National Election Commission

1999. The 13th Chief Justice

2005. Retired as Chief Justice

Chief Justice Choi declared justice development initiative. By organizing a Committee for Justice Development Plan, he adopted new model for civil case management, firmly established the principle of trial without physical detention, and improved a public defender system. He made reforms in various systems such as abolishing a local judge system and a ranking system of judges, introducing a single salary step system and a judicial assistance officer system, and computerizing registration and family registration affairs system. By organizing Committee for Judicial Reform, he took on the work to adopt law school system and new recruitment system of judges and launched reforms in military justice system.