[Reporter’s Notebook] Lawyer Organizations Should Embrace Innovation and Lead Change First

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A welcome piece of news has arrived in the startup industry, which is heavily clouded with difficulties. The government has supported the legal service platform 'Lotoc'. Ro & Company, the operator of Lotoc, was facing its greatest crisis since its founding in 2012. This government decision is like a ray of light. Going forward, the government should maintain a consistent stance to allow entrepreneurs and businesspeople to operate their businesses predictably.

On the 23rd, the Fair Trade Commission issued corrective orders to the vested interest lawyer groups, the Korean Bar Association and the Seoul Bar Association, and imposed fines of 1 billion won each. It judged that the actions of the Bar Association and the Seoul Bar Association, which forced lawyers to withdraw from Lotoc, were unfair. The 1 billion won fine is the maximum legal amount that can be imposed on business associations under the Fair Trade Act. This indicates the seriousness with which the issue was viewed. It is also worth noting as a positive signal to the startup industry. Ro & Company is the only 'pre-unicorn' among legal tech companies. The Fair Trade Commission believes that this measure will "improve consumer accessibility and expand choices in the legal service market."

However, the lawyer groups remain obstinate. The Bar Association issued a statement condemning the Fair Trade Commission's decision and declared that it would not hesitate to take legal action. The Bar Association criticized, saying, "A government agency has forgotten its duty and has become a tool for private companies to invade the legal market," and "The Fair Trade Commission regulating the constitutionally established legal profession is equivalent to infringing on the basic rights of the people." They intend to fight the government agency under the pretext of "the rights and interests of the people."

Following the Fair Trade Commission, the Ministry of Justice's judgment is now awaited. It is time for the results of the appeals filed by lawyers disciplined by the Bar Association to the Ministry of Justice. Since the government is advocating private-led economic growth, it should provide a stage where anyone can freely engage in business activities. The image that "Korea is a country where startups are difficult due to pressure from vested interests" must now be shaken off. Innovation and change are happening in all industries worldwide. The Bar Association should reflect on the words of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, "The only way not to be forced to change is to change first."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.