Current students and graduates of law schools gathered to discuss plans to overhaul the law school system.
According to legal sources on the 14th, the Korea Association of Law School Students (KALSS) held its first joint workshop on the 11th-12th with the association of graduates composed of former student government members from each law school and the current student body presidents. This was the first time that current students and graduates discussed system improvement plans in a workshop format.
At the workshop, discussions were held on topics including: ▲ introducing a four-year law school system and adjusting enrollment quotas ▲ improving the law school curriculum to consolidate adjacent legal professions.
Attorney Shin Kyung-chul, president of the KALSS graduates' association, pointed to the bar exam pass rate stuck in the 50% range and proposed adjusting enrollment quotas, introducing a four-year law school system, and incorporating practical apprenticeship courses.
Shin said, "In the mid to long term, we should consider adjusting the enrollment quota from the current 2,000 to around 1,500," adding, "Through this, we can achieve a soft landing to 1,200-1,300 new attorneys per year and mitigate market shocks from oversupply." Shin added, "If enrollment is slimmed down, the bar pass rate will gradually rise, and students will break free from exam pressure and immerse themselves in practice and specialized academic research."
On the other hand, some voiced concern that if the bar exam system remains unchanged while only extending the education period, the added fourth year could degenerate into bar exam preparation rather than practical training.
Yang Gwang-pil, president of the 32nd-33rd student government at Jeonbuk National University Law School, said, "The effectiveness of switching to a four-year system depends not on the added time itself but on how that period and the bar exam are connected," adding, "In addition to reducing enrollment, a phased overhaul of the exam, standardization of practical apprenticeships, and strengthening the substance of the curriculum must proceed together."
On consolidating adjacent legal professions, some said law schools should strengthen specialized training. Hong Su-min, chair of KALSS, said, "There is a need to operate specialized subject areas such as taxes, labor, and fair trade as mandatory courses to secure substantive expertise."
By contrast, Attorney Kim Ju-yeop said, "Another option is to have students complete a six-month to one-year specialized training course focused on special laws after finishing the three-year law school program and obtaining attorney qualification."