Updated at: 20-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

South Korea, with its high educational standards, has become a popular destination for international students seeking a world-class education, including those interested in pursuing a career in law.

Proof of this can be found in the numerous South Korean law schools. A law degree from a prestigious institution in South Korea is highly regarded both at home and abroad.

As they learn the law, students in South Korea have access to some of the most prominent legal minds in the world and study in the most cutting-edge environments possible.

This article provides a list of the top law schools in Korea to assist you in better understanding the legal curriculum offered there.

Best Law Schools In Korea

Best law schools in korea

Seoul National University

Seoul National University

Seoul National University, founded in the city of the same name, is widely regarded as South Korea’s finest educational establishment. This institution is regarded as a leading educational institution in Korea. The Korean government commissioned its creation with the intention of guiding modern South Korean development, as implied by the title. There are currently over 17,000 undergraduates attending classes across the university’s three campuses in and around Seoul.

The law school at this university places a premium on its students’ ability to comprehend and abide by the rule of law. There were originally two distinct divisions within the law school: public law and private law. However, these two disciplines now work together to provide students with a more thorough and nuanced understanding of the law. Both the undergraduate and graduate law programs at Seoul National University are highly regarded as some of the best in South Korea because of their emphasis on teaching students to think critically and analytically as they interpret the law.

Yonsei University

Yonsei University

Yonsei University is one of South Korea’s three most prestigious private research universities, along with Seoul National University and Kyung Hee University.

There are more than 26,000 undergraduates studying at the Seoul campus of this university. The university has always been on the cutting edge of progressive educational and institutional policy. Its guiding principles in the realm of education support a pedagogy that integrates multiple dimensions of instruction and places a premium on the application of novel pedagogical strategies and technologies.

The law school at Yonsei University is highly regarded in South Korea, despite the fact that the university is better known for its medical and business administration programs. It was among the earliest to receive accreditation and has one of the largest law programs in the country.

Yonsei University Law School has made it its mission to produce lawyers who will uphold democracy and justice in their professional lives despite the country’s troubled political past. To achieve this, changes have been made to the curriculum and teaching strategies at the school that emphasize democratic principles. In addition, the school has upgraded its facilities to provide students with the best possible environment in which to hone their legal expertise.

Sungkyunkwan University

Sungkyunkwan University – SKKU

This is a very good law school, even by Korean standards. Sungkyunkwan University has played a pivotal role in the development of the Korean educational system for decades.

The Sungkunkwan Royal Academy was established in 1398 and became famous for its focus on the Confucian classics during the Joseon dynasty.

Originally established in 1953 as the College of Law, in 2009 it became the Sungkyunkwan University School of Law. Where can one study law that is widely considered to be among the best in Korea?

Given the country’s high level of international competition, more than 40% of the courses are taught in English even though the majority of them are taught in Korean.

Because of the limited number of spots available to study law each year (20 students), the admissions process can be quite competitive.

There are currently 595 students enrolled at the Law School, studying for degrees like a Master of Laws, Juris Doctor, and Doctor of Science in Law, taught by a faculty of 39 law professors.

A semester at a top law school in Korea typically begins in either the spring or fall and lasts for 16 weeks.

Hanyang University Law School

Hanyang University Law School

The university was established in 1939 to save and free the country through higher education. In 1959, Hanyang University expanded to offer a Juris Doctorate degree, making it a full four-year university. Among the 25 Law Schools accredited by the Ministry of Education, it has produced roughly 1,200 professionals who are now employed by the Supreme Court, law firms, and other similar institutions, demonstrating its commitment to providing a high-quality education and pioneering new approaches to the legal field.

The Doctor of Juridical Science (one and a half years), Master of Laws (two years), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law (two years) are the degrees available. A score on the Legal Education Eligibility Test (LEET), a transcript of records, and application essays are all required during the annual application period that begins in October.

Korea University Law School

Korea University Law School

The Law School at Korea University is one of Korea’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning. First established in 1905 as Bosung College, the institution became Korea University in 1946. In 2009, as South Korea’s legal education system took shape, Korea University established a law school. There are currently 44 professors teaching a total of 14,000 law students at the law school. The Korea University Clinical Legal Education Center is the country’s first law clinic, and the Legal Research Institute is the country’s first law school-affiliated legal research institute.

The percentage of international practice-focused classes taught in English at the Korea University Law School is well over 20%. In-depth classes taught by internationally renowned professors are available to students. Master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as the Juris Doctor and the Doctor of Juridical Science, are among the options available at this institution.

FAQs

Traditionally, both German and Japanese approaches to legal education have been used in Korea.

The National Law Journal reports that due to recent reforms, the legal profession is shifting its emphasis from LL.B. programs at the undergraduate level to J.D. programs at the graduate level.

In addition, some Korean universities continue to provide legal training within a scholarly framework, awarding master’s and doctoral degrees in addition to postgraduate certifications.

In addition to the study of Korean law, many institutions devote significant resources to the study of other legal systems, such as the Common Law.

Can Foreign Students Study Law in South Korea?

In conclusion, foreign students who study law in Korea have access to a wide range of career options and competitive salaries. You will gain more hands-on experience in addition to the theoretical knowledge you gain from studying in Korea.

How Challenging is it to Study Law in South Korea?

The passage of the bar examination is currently required for admission to the Korean Bar. Candidates must have earned a Master of Laws from a law school recognized by the Korean Bar Association in order to take the bar exam.

Conclusion

There has been a rise in interest in studying in Korea as a result of the country’s increasingly industrialized culture.

As the number of cases involving law and conflict increases in Korea, so do the number of available jobs for law school graduates. Their lives and the country as a whole will be altered by this. In any case, I hope you’ll consider applying to one of the excellent Korean law schools discussed here.