Kim Jung-wook, President of the Bar Association, "Will Expand Lawyers' Scope of Work"

Inaugural Address of the New Bar Association President on the 24th
"Reclaiming Encroached Professional Domains and Expanding Work Areas"

Kim Jung-wook (46, 2nd Bar Exam) the newly appointed president of the Korean Bar Association, stated at the inauguration ceremony held on the 24th at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, “I will achieve the expansion of lawyers' work areas by completing the bill to expand the lawyer's professional domain and reclaiming the encroached professional domain.” The new president’s term has been extended by one year from this year, making it three years. During his term, President Kim will participate in the recommendation committee for candidates for the Chief Justice, Prosecutor General, and the head of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Office.

Kim Jung-wook, the newly appointed president of the Bar Association.

President Kim said, “The core that runs through the external goals is 'strengthening government relations activities,'” and added, “I will devote all my efforts to completing seven bills, including the lawyer’s confidentiality privilege, exemption of VAT on litigation costs for lawyers, and the amendment of the External Audit Act.” He also mentioned goals such as the revival of criminal success fees, reduction of the number of lawyers produced, and formalizing participation rights in administrative regulatory agencies, stating, “I will organize legislative lawyer groups by key constituencies nationwide led by the association president and expand the full-time staff of the legislative support center.”

President Kim also emphasized that under the leadership of the Bar Association, a permanent consultative body will be formed with courts and prosecution to share court rulings, discuss the revival of criminal success fees and improvements to the next-generation electronic litigation system, and create enhanced legal tech guidelines with the Ministry of Justice.

He acknowledged, “I understand there are deep concerns due to issues such as malfunctions in the recently introduced next-generation electronic litigation system, violations of the Lawyer Act caused by the introduction of the notary public record viewing function, and various problems arising from the amended Civil Procedure Act,” and pledged to deliver these to the Court Administration Office as top priorities. Regarding network law firms, he said, “Many smaller law offices or law firms are struggling due to a decrease in the number of cases they handle,” and promised to devise measures that maintain fairness while ensuring mutual growth within the legal profession alongside regulation.

President Kim also stated, “During this term, we are preparing to recommend key figures in the legal community,” and promised, “We will establish a 'Recommendation Personnel Verification Committee' composed of politically neutral members to conduct personnel verification of candidates and exercise the authority to recommend personnel transparently and fairly.”

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