As the election for the 98th President of the Seoul Bar Association, scheduled for January 22 (early voting) and 24, approaches, the three candidates’ bold pledges are drawing attention. △Full return of the president’s salary △Abolition of ceremonial protocols, among other promises, reveal their determination to abandon traditional practices and authority to achieve substantial, member-centered change. In the legal community, these pledges are being evaluated as reflecting a strong will to solve structural problems within the lawyer society, beyond mere election strategies.
Park Jong-heun “Establishing a Work Support Fund”
Candidate No. 1, Park Jong-heun (59, Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 31), is the first in the history of the Seoul Bar Association to pledge a “full return of the president’s salary.” Currently, the president’s salary is about 9 million KRW per month (before tax), totaling 108 million KRW annually.
Park explained the purpose of his pledge, saying, “As president, I want to share difficulties with members and establish a work support fund to assist young and female lawyers.” This fund is intended to be used for resources such as business startup support, expansion of the Dasarang Center, and enhancement of childcare facilities. He emphasized, “This decision did not come suddenly nor is it solely for winning the election. If the position truly serves the members, a resolution like fully returning the salary is naturally necessary.”
Additionally, he proposes a Seoul Bar point cashback system as a key pledge. The plan is to return 10% of the cost of certificates of passage to members as cashback, which can then be used for education fees, welfare malls, affiliated malls, and more.
Park Byung-chul “Paying Contributions with Existing Finances”
Candidate No. 2, Park Byung-chul (49, 6th Bar Exam), announced a pledge not to collect monthly fees until regulations on network law firms are implemented. Currently, local bar associations pay a contribution of 35,000 KRW per month to the Korean Bar Association from members’ fees. Regarding this, Park stated, “If the Seoul Bar does not collect monthly fees, it will be unable to remit contributions to the Bar Association. If the Bar Association promptly establishes effective measures for network law firms, we will cover the contributions with existing finances until that deadline.” He added, “Even if we are inevitably required by the Bar Association to remit contributions, we plan to use existing finances without collecting additional fees from members.” A bar official said, “The Seoul Bar has abundant assets such as cash, so it can operate without collecting monthly fees for two years without problems.”
He also pledged to abolish the president’s chauffeur and official car and use those resources for member welfare and practical support.
Jo Soon-yeol “Eliminating Unnecessary Practices”
Candidate No. 3, Jo Soon-yeol (52, Class 33), also declared that he will not receive the president’s salary until effective regulations on network law firms are established. Jo said, “I will actively gather members’ opinions and work swiftly and decisively to normalize the legal market by considering legal validity and regulatory rationality. As an active Seoul Bar president, I will ensure members can feel the change.”
He emphasized his experience laying the groundwork for network law firm regulations during his tenure as vice president of the Seoul Bar Association and said he proposed practical alternatives based on that. Jo added, “Other candidates have similar pledges, but I have actually drafted regulatory proposals to submit to the Bar Association and verified policies through member surveys. Together with colleagues who have achieved tangible results and reforms, I will continue uninterrupted reform.” He also reiterated his commitment to change by stating, “I will boldly abolish unnecessary ceremonial practices related to the president.”
Reporter Ahn Hyun, Legal News
※This article is based on content supplied by Law Times.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
![$29 Monthly Subscription AI Plant Appliance... US Startup Challenges LG [CES 2026]](https://cwcontent.asiae.co.kr/asiaresize/319/2026010819285284553_1767868133.png)
