Korean Bar Association Holds 33rd Lawyers' Conference... President Kim Jungwook Vows to Foster Environment for Safeguarding Rule of Law

2,200 Lawyers Gather
In-depth Presentations on Legislative, Judicial, and Administrative Issues

The 33rd Lawyers Conference for the Rule of Law hosted by the Korean Bar Association. Provided by the Korean Bar Association.

The Korean Bar Association (President Kim Jungwook) held the "33rd Lawyers' Conference for the Rule of Law and the 91st Lawyers' Training Session."

The event, hosted by the Korean Bar Association on the 25th at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, was attended by 2,200 lawyers. The Lawyers' Conference is a gathering of lawyers from across the country to explore ways to realize the rule of law and to present in-depth reviews and analyses on legislative, judicial, and administrative matters to both domestic and international audiences.

This year's conference was held under the main theme of "Judicial System Reform for the Promotion of Public Rights and Interests." Various proposals were made to protect fundamental human rights, maintain social order, and improve legal systems. Through practical and in-depth discussions on major issues in the legal field, participants sought new directions and shared their insights.

At the opening ceremony, Bong Wook, Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs, delivered congratulatory remarks on behalf of President Lee Jaemyung, while Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae attended in person and delivered his own congratulatory address.

In his keynote speech, Kim Jungwook, President of the Korean Bar Association, stated, "We are working to introduce the 'attorney-client privilege' to ensure the substantive guarantee of the right to legal counsel," and added, "We are making every effort to pass the amendment to the Attorney-at-Law Act that explicitly stipulates attorney-client privilege."

He also emphasized, "We are doing our utmost to defend the role of lawyers as guardians of the rule of law and the fundamental rights of the people against various legislative attempts that undermine the legal profession," adding, "As a pillar of the judicial system, the Korean Bar Association will make every effort to create an environment where we can unwaveringly fulfill our mission to safeguard the rule of law."

At the symposium, Lee Jaehun, Vice President of the Korean Bar Association, served as moderator for the session on "The Future Direction of Legal Aid and Public Defender Systems," with lawyer Kim Kiyoung delivering the keynote presentation and lawyers Lee Eunsook and Lee Jiyoung, as well as Judge Yoo Jemin of the Seoul High Court, participating as panelists.

Additionally, two parallel sessions were held: one on "The Need to Introduce a Discovery System under the Civil Procedure Act" and another on "Realistic Compensation for Attorney Fees Included in Litigation Costs." Kim Jaechun, Vice President of the Korean Bar Association, moderated the session on the discovery system, with Constitutional Court Justice Kim Hyungdoo delivering the keynote presentation and lawyer Jin Siho, Legislative Investigator Ryu Hoyeon (National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee), and Judge Kim Dohyung of the Jinju Branch of Changwon District Court participating as panelists.

For the session on "Realistic Compensation for Attorney Fees Included in Litigation Costs," lawyer Lee Taehan (Vice President of the Korean Bar Association) served as moderator, with lawyer Kim Jooyoung (former Director of the Korean Bar Association Legislative Research Institute) delivering the keynote presentation, and lawyer Heo Junghyuk, Court Administration Officer Moon Gowoon, and Chosun Ilbo journalist Yang Eunkyung participating as panelists.

The opening ceremony also included the presentation of the 56th Korea Legal Culture Award. Recognized as the highest honor in the Korean legal community, the Korea Legal Culture Award is presented annually by the Korean Bar Association to individuals who have made significant contributions to the protection of human rights and the advancement or exchange of legal culture through legal practice or research. This year, the award was presented to lawyer Son Yonggeun of Dongin Law Group.