The law school was first introduced in 2009 to replace the bar exam and marks its 15th anniversary this year. Some point out the problems of the law school system. Aside from the issues raised, however, law schools are currently the only system in Korea that can become legal professionals. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the competitiveness of our university.
As of 2023, 25 universities nationwide are operating law schools. At the time of preliminary approval of law schools (hereinafter referred to as approv a l ) , 41 universities nationwide appl i e d for approval, and our universities also challenged this. Based on the five districts where the High Court is located, nine categories, including the curriculum, facilities, f inance, and university competitiveness of applied universities in the region, were evaluated with a score of 1,000 points. Our university ranked 19th with 834.9 points out of 41 universities. However, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (currently the Ministry of Education) gave approval to Inha University (834.2 points) and Kangwon National University (800.0), ranked 20th, despite the same region. In response, our university filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development to cancel the preliminary rejection of approval because a professor from the university applied for approval was included in the review committee, but the Supreme Court eventually confirmed the appeal’s ruling. It is even more regrettable that our university has made all-out efforts to attract law schools such as remodeling the Manhae Hall, installing a law library, and remodeling a mock court.
In recent years, more and more universities are on the verge of extinction due to a decrease in the school-age population and lack of competitiveness. Dongguk university is increasing its competitiveness by showing remarkable results in various areas such as university evaluation, research, and industryacademic cooperation, but this is something that can never be neglected. As the fierce competition to attract law schools shows, law schools have a great significance in universities. In addition, this is proof that attracting law schools has a great influence on improving university competitiveness.
Universities are the cradle of fostering expertise and intelligence and providing opportunities so that students can enter society and play their roles. In other words, how diverse opportunities are provided and how in-depth the curriculum is the university’s competitiveness. Having a law school does not guarantee the admission of our university students. However, fragmentarily, not only will our university students have wider opportunities to become legal professionals, but more professional and quality law classes will be provided than the current level of colleges. The virtuous cycle of incidental academic activities, support, and rising entrance examination results is also a part that cannot be ignored in enhancing the image and competitiveness of the university.
Contrary to the purpose of the introduction, law schools have raised various issues such as “limiting the number of applications for the bar exam,” “limiting fair opportunities due to excessive tuition,” and “differences in levels of law schools at each university.” To solve the problem, various sectors are proposing various proposals such as increasing the number of admissions, attracting new law schools, attracting night law schools, re-authorizing law schools, and reviving judicial exams. What our university needs to know here is that “change is opportunity.” Unless the law school system disappears, attracting law schools is essential. Therefore, now must be an important opportunity to strengthen university competitiveness. We look forward to our university’s timely response to these changes.