5 Best Law Schools in Korea

Korea has recognized global opportunities, opening its market to foreign nationals and companies with the increasing demand for English proficient legal professionals. In the past, foreign nationals aspiring to become licensed lawyer in Korea were required to take the Korean Bar Examination and have training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute for two years. In this article, we will be looking at the best law schools in Korea.

Today, with the new policy implemented in 2009, a foreign candidate must complete a three-year graduate course at a Korean university law school and pass the Korean Bar Examination. Furthermore, a work visa is needed for foreign lawyers to work in Korea. Upon completion of requirements, foreign lawyers can work in a law firm or work as a foreign law consultant. For more information, visit the International Bar Association website.

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Best Law Schools in Korea

1. Korea University Law School

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.M., J.D., S.J.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Korean, with some subjects in English

Korea University Law School is among the oldest and most renowned law schools in Korea. It started in 1905 as a small college called Bosung College and changed its name to Korea University in 1946. When the law education system was materialized in South Korea, the Korea University law school was officially created in 2009. Today, the law school comprises 44 professors, teaching 14,000 law students. As a trailblazer of law education, it is known to many firsts such as the Korea University Clinical Legal Education Center, the first legal clinic in Korea, and the Legal Research Institute as the first legal research institute associated with a Korean university.

At Korea University Law School, there are more than 20% of subjects taught in English which are specialized in global practice. Students have the opportunity to have in-depth classes with reputable lecturers worldwide. The school offers programs in masters and doctoral, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Juridical Science, and diplomas.

2.Yonsei University Law School

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.M., J.D., S.J.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Korean, with some subjects in English

One of Korea’s long-surviving schools, Yonsei University began its history in 1885 as Korea’s first western hospital called Gwanghyewon. Yonsei Law School started during the Japanese colonization in 1915 and continued in 1950, the year when a department of law was officially opened. The law school in Korea believes in cultivating the most excellent education with their facilities such as Gwang-bok Hall and having the best lecturers. At present, there are five campuses, approximately 40,000 students, and 6,000 lecturers.

Yonsei Law School offers more than 20 English-medium subjects. They offer LL.M., J.D., and S.J.D. programs. The J.D. program offers more than 160 subjects and 90 credits are required to complete the degree. The S.J.D program is for four semesters with a total of 24 credits. For international exchange programs, students can also have dual J.D/LL.M. degrees with the university’s joint agreement with ten universities in seven countries and have qualifications for Korea and U.S. bar examinations.

3. Sungkyunkwan University Law School

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.M., J.D., S.J.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Korean, with some subjects in English

For centuries, Sungkyunkwan University, which has one of the best law schools in Krorea, played an important part in shaping the education system in Korea. It was established in 1398 as Sungkunkwan Royal Academy, which focused on Confucian Classics in the Joseon Dynasty. Fast forward to 1953, the College of Law was formed and later turned to the Sungkyunkwan Law School in 2009. Today, Sungkyunkwan University serves as a historical landmark, particularly the Myeongnyundang hall, Jongyeonggak library, and dormitories. Most of the courses are in Korean, but because of its global competitiveness, more than 40% are English-medium courses.

Its application process can be quite competitive due to its high standards having only 20 law students accepted every year. Currently, the Law School has 39 law professors and about 595 law students studying Masters of Law, Juris Doctor, and Doctor of the Science of Law. The duration of one semester is for 16 weeks beginning in Spring and Fall semesters in Korea.

4. Hanyang University Law School

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.M., J.D., S.J.D., Ph.D
  • Language of Instruction: Korean, with some subjects in English

In 1939, the university was built for the sole purpose of liberating and saving the country through education. Hanyang University became a four-year institute, which later founded the College of Law in 1959. Proving its quality education and innovative ventures, it is among the 25 Law Schools accredited by the Ministry of Education and graduated around 1,200 professionals working in the Supreme Court, law firms, and the like.

Programs offered are the Juris Doctor program (three years), the Doctor of Juridical Science (one and a half years), the Master of Laws program (two years), and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law program (two years). Application is open every October annually, with the requirements of a Legal Education Eligibility Test (LEET) score, transcript of records, and application essays.

5. Seoul National University Law School

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.M., J.D., S.J.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Korean, with some subjects in English

We end our list of the best law schools in Korea with Seoul National University Law School. The School of Law was founded in the Yi Dynasty in 1895, starting with its first courses in civil and criminal procedures, civil law, criminal law, and contemporary laws, and later added new courses such as international law, constitutional law, and commercial law. The School of Law has graduated 20,000 alumni in the past years. Today, it has 60 faculty members with over a thousand law students. To create a quality learning environment, it houses the library of Seoul National University’s law school in 1946, the Law Research Institute in 1961, and Seoul National University Asia-Pacific Law Institute (APLI) as among the first institutions specializing in Asian laws.

Seoul National University Law School offers master’s programs, doctoral programs, and a law school program. Applicants applying for the master’s program should hold a bachelor’s degree, have achieved a minimum of TEPS 327 points or TOEFL (IBT) 86 points. As for the doctoral program, applicants should hold a master’s degree and acquired a minimum score of TEPS 327 points or TOEFL (IBT) 86 points.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Korea Scholarships Page!