The Honorable Justice Shin Young-chul was born in 1953 in a small farming village in Gongju, Chungnam Province. He received his LL.B from Seoul National University and passed the 18th National Higher Judicial Examination in 1976.

Justice Shin began his judgeship in September 1981 at the Seoul Southern District Court. During his career, he has served as a judge at the Seoul Civil District Court, Daegu District Court, and Seoul High Court; as a Director of Litigation Affairs of the National Court Administration; as a Research Judge of the Supreme Court; as a Professor of Judicial Research and Training Institute, and as the Presiding Judge of Seoul District Court. He also has served as a Senior Presiding Judge of Daejeon District Court, Chief Secretary to the Chief Justice, Senior Presiding Judge of Criminal Chambers, and Chief Judge of both Suwon District Court and Seoul Central District Court. He was named a Supreme Court Justice on February 18, 2009.

Justice Shin is widely recognized for his nimble handling of highly-contentious issues like religious conflicts and for his advocacy for greater financial transparency and corporate responsibility. He has also championed the causes of the underprivileged including women, the disabled, and part-time laborers.

He is known for his impartial handling of cases involving crimes against children and juveniles. His strong interest in protecting the public interest from regional factions and in respecting the value of life and family are portrayed in his judicial record as well.

Justice Shin has authored several theses and judicial decision commentaries including Scope of Perjury and Sentencing Conditions (1995), Restitutional Obligations of Local Governments for Occupation of Private Lands (1992), and Construction Permits and the Right of Passing Over Surrounding Land (1992). He also co-authored Civil Procedure Act with Annotations, Compulsory Execution Act with Annotations and Collection of Civil and Criminal IPR case Decisions.