Can a foreigner become a lawyer in South Korea?

Asked by: Dr. Justyn Hagenes  |  Last update: August 4, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (29 votes)

South Korea does not recognise foreign qualifications, and obtaining a licence to practise as a South Korean lawyer is a lengthy process. To be admitted as a local lawyer in South Korea, foreign lawyers must complete a three-year graduate level law school program and pass the South Korean Bar Examination.

How do I become a lawyer in South Korea?

Currently, an individual must pass the bar exam to become a lawyer in Korea. Applicants who have obtained a professional master's degree from a law school accredited in Korea are eligible to take the bar exam.

How can a foreigner be a lawyer in Korea?

If your foreign language skills are good, your chances of application approval will increase. Besides, you need to meet the following requirements: Have completed high school education (for a maximum of 3 years) No need for a Korean certificate, but TOPIK 3 or above is required to study Law.

How much does a foreign lawyer make in Korea?

The average annual income of those without a permanent job is 8.07 million won (approx. 7,300 USD). As for foreigners working in Korea, the number was around 580,000, with an average salary of 27.72 million won (approx. 25,100 USD).

Can an international lawyer work in South Korea?

Foreign lawyers still cannot practice South Korean law. But they can act as foreign legal experts/consultants. As a legal expert/consultant your main job is to offer advice on the laws of your home jurisdiction, international customary law, and international arbitration.

Lawyer Salary in South Korea - Jobs and Wages in South Korea

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Can I become lawyer in Korea?

Under the new system, to become a licensed lawyer in Korea, a candidate must complete a graduate level law school program (3 years) at an approved university in Korea and have passed the Korean Bar Examination (new). The first candidates seeking to qualify under the new system will graduate from law school in 2012.

Is South Korea a good place to study law?

Across the world, South Korea is well-known for its academic excellence. This statement is especially true with respect to its academic law programs. Obtaining a law degree from a top-tier university in South Korea is considered an achievement in both the country and abroad.

How long does it take to study law in South Korea?

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).

Do lawyers make good money in South Korea?

A person working as an Attorney in Korea (South) typically earns around 8,050,000 KRW per month. Salaries range from 3,700,000 KRW (lowest) to 12,800,000 KRW (highest). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits.

Which country is best for law study?

Best Countries to Study Law Abroad
  1. United States of America (USA) Reasons: World-Renowned Law Schools, Prominent Faculty, Numerous Law Courses & Seminars, Advanced Clinics, Cross Programs, Home of Renowned Law Firms, Scholarships. ...
  2. United Kingdom (UK) ...
  3. Australia. ...
  4. Canada. ...
  5. Singapore. ...
  6. Japan. ...
  7. China.

Does Korea have a bar exam?

Already a member? In order to become a lawyer in South Korea, a person should pass either a judiciary exam, which was abolished in 2017, or a bar examination after graduating from a law school. In 2018, the seventh bar examination to qualify a certain number of law school graduates was held in South Korea.

Is it expensive to study in South Korea?

An undergraduate course at a public university costs around US$4,350 per semester (with humanities subjects at the lower end and medicine at the top). At a South Korean private university, fees are estimated at US$5,800 per semester.

Is it hard to get into Korea University?

Korea University is selective. For Korean students, it is very hard to get admission. You need to be at least top 1% of all the students in Korea to get accepted into Korea University.

Which university is best for law in South Korea?

2012–2020 Top 10 Law School Ranking from Hankyung Business Magazine was:
  • Seoul National University School of Law.
  • Korea University School of Law.
  • Yonsei Law School.
  • Sungkyunkwan University Law School.
  • Hanyang University School of Law.
  • Sogang Law School.
  • Ewha Law School.
  • Pusan National University School of Law.

Which is the best law university in the world?

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Law
  • Harvard University, US.
  • University of Oxford, UK.
  • University of Cambridge, UK.
  • Yale University, US.
  • Stanford University, US.
  • The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK.
  • Columbia University, US.
  • New York University (NYU), US.

Does Korea university teach in English?

Academic Information

More than 40% of all classes offered at Korea University are taught in English.

Can I go to Korea after 12th?

Eligibility Requirements

Education: For undergraduate courses in South Korea, the candidate needs to have completed 10+2, i.e. 12 years of education (primary and secondary) and for postgraduate courses, you will need a bachelor's degree to apply for a master's program and a master's degree for PhD.

What jobs can foreigners get in Korea?

Job Opportunities in South Korea for Foreigners

In addition to teaching English, other sectors where expats will find a lot of opportunities are in IT, general office administration jobs, manufacturing, and careers related to health, science, research, and technology.

Which job is best for girls?

21 Best Jobs In India For Girls & Women
  • Teaching Jobs. For a long time, education or teaching has been the first choice of jobs for married ladies in India. ...
  • Cabin Crew & Hospitality Jobs. ...
  • Entertainment Industry Jobs. ...
  • Image Management Jobs. ...
  • Medicine & Nursing Jobs. ...
  • Law Jobs. ...
  • Fashion & Design Jobs. ...
  • Sports Jobs.

Does Seoul university teach law?

The Seoul National University Law School was founded in 2009 as one of the founding law schools of South Korea. The law school offers many degree programs in a wide variety of subject areas from criminal law to constitutional, commercial, international, environmental, and legal theory.

Is it hard to study abroad in Korea?

While it might be hard to always remember, you are studying abroad! Korea University is one of the top universities in the Korea and it is very challenging to be accepted.

How many lawyers are there in South Korea?

As of October 2011, there are 12,590 certified lawyers, and approximately 10,990 are active in practice, of which 7,923 are practicing in Seoul. As of February 2011, the number of prosecutors is 1,846. The total number of civil cases was 881,137 in 2001, 1,169,283 in 2005, and 1,041,468 in 2010.

Which job is best in South Korea?

  1. Surgeons / Doctors. Salary Range: from 7,090,000 KRW to 22,600,000 KRW. ...
  2. Judges. Salary Range: from 5,950,000 KRW to 18,900,000 KRW. ...
  3. Lawyers. Salary Range: from 4,820,000 KRW to 15,300,000 KRW. ...
  4. Bank Managers. ...
  5. Chief Executive Officers. ...
  6. Chief Financial Officers. ...
  7. Orthodontists. ...
  8. College Professors.