"Where Is the Law Headed in the Age of AI?"... Busan National University Hosts Forum on the Future of Civil and Consumer Law

Busan National University Law Research Institute Hosts Joint Academic Conference with Korean Consumer Law Association
Experts in Various Legal Fields Present Insights on the Present and Future of Consumer Law and Civil Law

The Busan National University Law Research Institute (Director: Kim Hyunsoo, Professor at the Law School) co-hosted the "2025 Korean Consumer Law Association Summer Joint Academic Conference" with the Korean Consumer Law Association and the Korea Intelligent Information Society Agency, sponsored by the Korea Internet Corporations Association, on June 27 at Hakbong Hall, Busan National University Law Building.

Busan National University Law Research Institute, co-hosted with the Korean Consumer Law Association and the Korea Intelligent Information Society Agency, and sponsored by the Korea Internet Corporations Association, is holding the "2025 Korean Consumer Law Association Summer Joint Academic Conference" and taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Busan National University

This academic conference was held under the theme "Intersection of New Technologies, Consumer Law, and Civil Law: Present and Future," offering a multifaceted examination of the changes and challenges that new technologies such as artificial intelligence may bring to the legal system.

In particular, the event drew attention as a venue to explore both the possibilities and limitations of integrating civil law and consumer law, and to assess the future direction of the legal order.

Kim Hyunsoo, President of the Korean Consumer Law Association (Professor at Busan National University), stated in his opening remarks, "While technology continues to evolve, the law remains the final bastion for protecting human rights and dignity. I hope this conference will serve as a starting point for ensuring that civil law and consumer law continue to uphold the values of consumer protection and public welfare, even amid technological advancement."

The afternoon session began with a joint presentation on the theme "Civil Law Amendment and Consumer Law."

Seo Jonghee, Professor at Yonsei University, addressed the topic "The Consumer Protection Effect of the Final Purchaser Recourse System," highlighting blind spots in consumer redress within supply chains and emphasizing the need for legislation on recourse systems.

Next, Lee Jaemin, Professor at Changwon National University, analyzed the impact of assessing contractual capacity on consumer protection in the era of aging populations and information gaps, under the theme "Provisions on Contractual Capacity in the Civil Law Amendment and Consumer Contracts."

The subsequent individual topic sessions focused on the role of law amid technological change.

Lee Haewon, Professor at Kangwon National University, presented on "AI Agent Technology and Civil Law," introducing discussions on the legal subjectivity of autonomous contract execution technologies. Kim Sungmi, Professor at Suncheon National University, proposed the necessity of introducing social regulations into the judicial system to realize public welfare.

Jung Sindong, Professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, delivered a presentation titled "AI-Based Automated Decision-Making and the Response Direction of Consumer Law," highlighting the risks of consumer discrimination by algorithms and the need to revise consumer protection legislation accordingly.

Kim Donyeon, Research Fellow at the Korea Consumer Agency, emphasized through the topic "Vulnerable Groups and the Response of Consumer Law" that improving accessibility to legal systems and addressing blind spots remain future challenges.

The day's discussions were enriched by the participation of leading professors from major law schools such as Sungshin Women's University, Chungnam National University, Kyungpook National University, and Dong-A University, as well as experts from the Supreme Court, Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Internet Corporations Association, and Korea Intelligent Information Society Agency.

The conference was evaluated as a reaffirmation of the importance of ongoing dialogue among academia, industry, and public institutions to find a balance between the traditional framework of civil law and the rapidly changing technological society.