“Think about the rights and interests of all members, not just a specific group” “Various experience as a prosecutor, lawyer, member of the National Assembly, professor, etc… Strength of human network” “Experience in legislative activities… Focus on passing long-awaited bills”
Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is interviewed by Financial News at the election office set up in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 27th. /Photo = Candidate Tae-seop Geum’s election office
[파이낸셜뉴스] The Korean Bar Association, the largest lawyer organization in Korea, representing about 35,000 lawyers, will elect a new leader on January 20th next year. In addition to the authority to permit or cancel lawyer registration, authorize the establishment of a law office or law firm, and discipline or supervise lawyers, the president of the Bar Association has the right to recommend candidates for major figures in the legal profession, such as the Supreme Court Justice, the Prosecutor General, the Director of the High-ranking Public Officials Crime Investigation Office, and a special prosecutor. This is powerful. With Kim Jeong-wook, president of the Seoul Bar Association, Ahn Byeong-hee, president of the Korea Future Lawyers Association, and former National Assembly member Tae-seop Geum casting their candidacy votes, we heard about the reasons for each candidate’s candidacy and the direction the bar association should take as a ‘three-way battle’ is expected. (Order of entries) (in order of interview progress)
The following is a Q&A with former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop (Judicial Research and Training Institute 24th class).
―What motivated you to run for election as president of the Korean Bar Association?
▲I decided to run for office because I thought there would be many areas in which I could contribute if I became president of the Korean Bar Association. I would like to contribute to raising the status of lawyers by passing long-awaited bills such as mandating legal due diligence for initial public offerings (IPOs) and enacting the right of confidentiality (ACP) between lawyers and clients.
In particular, the lawyer’s association has changed into an organization for the benefit of a specific group rather than the rights and interests of its members, and I believe that I am the right person to stop the privatization of the lawyer’s association.
―What do you think are the urgent problems that need to be solved in the current lawyer industry?
▲What must be addressed is ‘law school reform.’ In Korea, the number of lawyers is too high compared to the population or the size of the legal market, and although everyone is aware of the problem, they have not been able to publicize it. It is known that the current bar exam passing rate is in the 50% range, and law schools with low passing rates are only in the 20% range. There are opinions that the passing rate should be increased, but this is not a problem that can be solved simply by increasing the number of lawyers. As it has been 15 years since the law school system was introduced, I think it is time to discuss the adequacy of law school quota. There is a need to hold a conference with the Ministry of Justice, the courts, and academia to share awareness of the problem.
―Legal tech cannot be left out as a major topic in the legal world these days. The conflict between the Korean Bar Association and the Legal Tech industry has continued. What is your position on related issues?
▲It is natural for the association to protect the rights and interests of its members and prevent them from distorting the legal market, but we are opposed to mass disciplinary action against members. Each member has a variety of opinions, and I do not think it is right to discipline at the association level without gathering opinions. The Ministry of Justice, the Korean Bar Association, and the legal tech industry must continue to discuss and establish guidelines that do not infringe on the rights and interests of members. If a reasonable plan is put forward, legal tech companies will have no choice but to follow suit. In the past, there were cases where the Korean Bar Association neglected really important issues while focusing on the conflict with legal tech companies, but it should not miss out on practical matters while pursuing a cause.
Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. /Photo = Financial News
―If you become the president of the Korean Bar Association, what mindset will you have and what are your main pledges?
▲If I become the president of the Korean Bar Association, there are many things I would like to do in various fields, but I think they can be summarized into four main things. We will focus on ① expanding the legal market by passing the long-awaited bill, ② regulating network law firms, ③ allowing lawyers to freely view judgments, and ④ supporting young lawyers to open their own businesses.
―The Korean Bar Association Presidential Election has virtually become a three-way race. Is there anything you would like to highlight as your strength or differentiation?
▲I think I have strengths in expertise, experience, and human network. He worked as a prosecutor for 12 years, as a member of the National Assembly for 4 years, and as a lawyer for 14 years, and has a variety of experiences including adjunct professor at law school and chairman of the Seoul Bar Association Dispute Mediation Committee. In particular, while serving as a member of the National Assembly, he built a rich human network and actively engaged in legislative activities. In order for lawyers and associations to grow to the next level, system improvement through legislation is necessary, and I would like to emphasize that I am the only candidate with this experience.
-The last thing I want to say is
▲If I become the president of the Korean Bar Association, I will step forward in person. Rather than just sitting in the office, I will meet with officials from the government, National Assembly, academia, and related organizations to lead changes in the legal market. I will work hard in the field for three years to the extent that people outside say, ‘The president of the Korean Bar Association keeps coming.’ I am confident that I can actually play that role best.
[email protected] Reporter Seo Min-ji
※ Copyright ⓒ Financial News, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited
**How does Geum Tae-seop’s proposed conference on law school reform address the concerns of both aspiring lawyers and the legal industry in Korea?**
## Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop’s Vision for the Korean Bar Association:
**Focusing on Long-Awaited Reforms, Network Regulation, and Support for Young Lawyers**
**Seoul, South Korea**: As the 3-way race for the Korean Bar Association (KBA) presidency heats up, former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop has outlined his vision for leading the organization. Geum, known for his diverse experience as a prosecutor, lawyer, and national assembly member, emphasizes the need for collaborative action and a focus on key issues affecting the legal profession.
**Key Highlights:**
* **Pushing for Long-Awaited Legislation**: Geum aims to prioritize the passage of bills crucial for the development of the legal market. These include mandating legal due diligence for initial public offerings (IPOs) and enacting the right of confidentiality (ACP) between lawyers and clients.
* **Addressing Law School Reform**: Geum identifies the oversupply of lawyers in Korea as a pressing issue. He proposes a conference involving the Ministry of Justice, the courts, and academia to discuss the adequacy of law school quotas and find solutions to the imbalance between the number of lawyers and the size of the legal market.
* **Navigating the Legal Tech Landscape**: Acknowledging the tension between the KBA and the Legal Tech industry, Geum advocates for a collaborative approach. He emphasizes the need for open dialogue and the establishment of guidelines that balance the protection of lawyers’ rights with the advancement of legal technology.
**Geum’s Core Strengths**:
* **Expertise**: Geum brings over 30 years of experience spanning prosecutorial work, legal practice, and legislative service.
* **Experience**: His diverse background provides him with a unique understanding of the legal system and its challenges.
* **Human Network**: Geum highlights his extensive network within the legal community and beyond, which he believes will be valuable in forging consensus and driving change.
**Call for Unity**:
Geum’s candidacy reflects a commitment to unity and collaboration within the KBA. He believes that the organization should prioritize the interests of all its members, not just a select few. This perspective resonates with his call for a more inclusive and forward-looking approach to addressing the key issues facing the Korean legal profession.
**Expert Response:**
Geum’s focus on legislative reform and navigating the legal tech landscape is commendable. His experience gives him a unique perspective on how to balance the interests of lawyers with the needs of a changing legal market.
However, his pledge to regulate network law firms might face resistance from those who believe it stifles competition and innovation.
It remains to be seen how Geum will balance the competing interests within the KBA and whether he can effectively deliver on his ambitious agenda.
