- In most Western countries, people have to finish school to take the bar exam.
- After they pass the exam, most of them are hired by law firms or expert layers to get experience.
- They start their jobs according to their aptitude and major like in finance, insurance, criminal and tax
- law, etc.
- But the Korean legal system is different.
-
- Anyone who is over 20 years of age can take the bar exam regardless of their educational background,
- so there are some judges who are in their early 20s in Korea.
- Can you imagine a young pup judge in his early 20s who just memorized some law books without any
- social experience?
- How can he pass a judgement on one's life?
- Most Koreans think this legal system is ridiculous.
-
- Many Korean college students, including technical college students, believe that passing the bar exam is a
- shortcut to success.
- Some of them take the bar exam even when is has nothing to do with their major, character or aptitude.
- They even continue studying for many years after graduating without for many years after graduating
- without jobs, because Koreans can take a bar exam without going to law school.
- Even law students think of their classes as a waste.
- They study by themselves because discussion and oral interviews are not important for passing the car
- exam.
- They think it is much better to memorize their law books.
-
- The Korean bar exam depends on the ability of human memory.
- It is almost impossible for people over 30 who are well-experienced, cultured, intelligent and well-rounded
- in every pat of society to pass the exam, because people in their 20s have simple brains, simple lives and
- good memories.
- Even if they finish law school with good grades, it has nothing to do with the bar exam.
- Many law students do not attend their classes so they have a lot of time to study by themselves, and
- this is recognized by the unconscientious professors and college authorities.
- some universities provide special dormitories for students who are preparing for the bar exam.
- Special study houses are located deep in the mountains and around colleges.
-
- It is incredible that the old-fashioned study methods of the 1970s are prevailing in Korean at the door of
- the 21st century.
- If they pass the bar exam, 2years free education and a monthly pay is provided by the Korean Supreme
- Court, which is paid from people's taxes.
- Then they can practice law without any experience and make a fortune almost immediately.
-
- Many Korean markets are now opening up to the world.
- So Korean needs many lawyers who are specialized in international trade, the environment, contract and
- labor law, etc.
- With the current law system, it is hard to get good lawyers for private companies and government
- organizations.
- There are almost no lawyers for international business, educated under the current system, who can speak
- English.
-
- On the other hand, American trade & commerce delegates are supported by lots of capable lawyers who
- are experts in international law.
- For this reason, the current government made an effort to change this legal system.
- Unfortunately they failed because the Korean Supreme Court wanted to keep its privileged position of
- power and the Korean Bar Association was against the president's plan.
- We are now on the bridge to the 21st century.
- After the Uruguay Round(UR), the WTO and joining the OECD, Korea is emerging as one of the biggest
- law markets for advanced countries.
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