[M Changing the World]⑥ A New Breeze in the Legal World... M Generation Lawyers "We Will Create Laws for Youth"

Song Ji-eun 'Saebyeon' Inaugural Standing Representative Interview
M Generation Lawyers Gather to Organize Group for Youth
Positive Legal Community Response to Young Lawyers' Challenge
MZ Generation is Rational and Fluid... Saebyeon "No Political Line"

"The 'Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun)' may have been an organization aligned with the spirit of the times when it was founded, but much time has passed and the thoughts of young people have changed. Our goal is to propose legislation related to issues that young people care about, pass those bills, and thereby improve the lives of young people and the public."

In March, the so-called 'MZ (Millennial + Generation Z) lawyers' group called the 'Young Lawyers for a New Future (Saebyeon)' was launched. Song Ji-eun, the inaugural executive director and a lawyer who passed the bar exam in its 3rd session, explained the background and goals of Saebyeon as follows. While existing lawyer groups like Minbyun have moved with political purposes such as defending political prisoners and human rights activism, Saebyeon focuses solely on public interest work aimed at improving the lives of the people, such as preventing jeonse fraud and verifying babysitters.

Song Ji-eun, the executive representative of the "Youth Lawyers Association for a New Future," is being interviewed by Asia Economy. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Experienced 7-10 Year Lawyers Focused on Youth Issues

Saebyeon was started by 10 M-generation lawyers coming together. Director Song said, "Private companies can receive legislative advice from law firms, but there is no organization that provides legislative advice or proposals in the public interest sector. We created Saebyeon with those who sympathized with this issue." They began serious discussions in December last year, launched in March this year, and already about 200 lawyers share the same vision.

Saebyeon draws a clear line from political issues and focuses solely on problems related to the real lives of young people. Director Song said, "Many policies and bills are introduced, but they often do not align with the legal sentiments of people in their 20s and 30s. Especially in issues like marriage, childbirth, childcare, and housing, there is a lack of detail. There are things like methods to prevent jeonse fraud that you can only know through practical experience, and since we are lawyers with 7-10 years of field experience, we believe we can do well."

One of Saebyeon's first focuses is the 'Mandatory Babysitter Background Verification,' which is closely related to young people's lives but receives little attention from politics and public opinion. Dual-income couples who find it difficult to raise children often pay significant monthly fees to hire babysitters, but even through employment agencies, it is difficult to verify if the sitter has a history of child abuse or has worked in entertainment establishments. Saebyeon is preparing a bill with Representative Jeong Kyung-hee of the People Power Party to strengthen sitter verification and prohibit brokerage if disqualifying factors exist.

Saebyeon Resembles MZ Generation... Chooses Conservative or Progressive as Needed

Additionally, Saebyeon is contacting various lawmakers regardless of party affiliation and conducting research related to legislation. Recently, as public interest in Saebyeon grew, one political party contacted them with a proposal to "work only with our party," but this was immediately declined. Director Song said, "Saebyeon aims to be a platform where young lawyers can engage in public interest activities. If a political color is fixed, lawyers will be reluctant to participate, so we have no plans to set a political line going forward."

This also connects with the characteristics of the MZ generation, which values rationality and fluidity. It is similar to the Saerogochim Workers' Council, known as the 'MZ Union,' which declared depoliticization between the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the government. Director Song said, "I think the MZ generation is characterized by rational judgment based on self-interest and thus has a fluid tendency not to vote for one side. Saebyeon reflects this trait and can be conservative or progressive depending on the issue."

Minbyun Distanced from Youth... "Saebyeon's Consumers Are Youth and the Public"

In this regard, Saebyeon is evaluated as standing in opposition to Minbyun. Minbyun was founded in 1988 by young lawyers during a time when the people's freedom and basic rights were suppressed, and it is credited with contributing to democratization and human rights protection through numerous public interest cases. However, recently, it has been criticized for excessive political bias and losing balance. Especially during the previous administration, it occupied key government positions such as in the Ministry of Justice, sparking controversy over 'entrenchment.'

Director Song said, "I don't think Minbyun's current interests align with those of the youth. Therefore, what Minbyun talks about does not resonate with young people and leads to less interest." He added, "There are many other young lawyer groups in the legal community, but they mainly focus on protecting lawyers' rights. However, our consumers are the public and young people. That's why young lawyers are very interested in us."

Saebyeon's activities have also been positively received even in the relatively conservative legal community. Senior figures such as former Supreme Court Justice Park Il-hwan, former International Criminal Court President Song Sang-hyun, and Ji Jae-wan, a U.S. lawyer who was a vice president at Samsung Electronics, have willingly decided to attend Saebyeon's monthly seminars. Director Song said, "Not only young lawyers but also leading and senior lawyers say it's time for such an organization to exist and support us."

'Youth Lawyers Association for a New Future' Executive Director Attorney Song Ji-eun. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

'Working Moms' Juggle Time... "We Will Increase Lawyer Participation by Achieving Many Results"

Director Song, who wants to create a better life for young people, is also raising an 11-month-old child. Among the 10 founding members, 5 are women, and 4 of them are 'working moms.' His commitment to public interest activities and addressing social issues like babysitters was greatly influenced by his child. He said, "In Korea, there is a lot of interest in education; around me, even zero-year-old babies listen to English songs. While such education is important, I thought it would be better if my child had the right direction and values. To do that, I wanted to set an example myself first."

With growing expectations since Saebyeon's launch, there is also pressure for results. The co-directors and board members invest about 20% of their time in Saebyeon activities, and those employed by companies sometimes take half-days off to work on Saebyeon matters. Director Song said, "The most critical task in the first half of the year is to expand the operating committee staff, and looking at this year, our goal is to create bills that can be proposed in the September National Assembly session. We want to achieve as many results as possible so that more lawyers participate and ultimately become an organization that contributes to the lives of the people."