KORUS LAW, a law firm specializing in foreign cases, published a legal guide
Publication of ‘Law-Eater [놀-이터]’, a legal guide for foreigners
Members of KORUS LAW, a law firm specializing in foreign cases, co-authored ‘LAW-EATER(놀이터)’ in acknowledgement of the 2.5 million foreign residents and immigrants living in Korea. ‘LAW-EATER(놀이터)’ was made for our multicultural society. The publication’s goal is to help foreigners acquire the necessary legal knowledge to pursue a safe livelihood in Korea—it is a guide to help prevent misunderstandings and injustices that could arise due to their lack of legal knowledge regarding civil, criminal, family, immigration law, etc.
KORUS LAW, a law firm specializing in foreign cases, published a legal guide called ‘LAW-EATER(놀이터)’ to enhance and protect the rights of foreigners. Similar in pronunciation to the Korean word for “playground,” 'LAW-EATER(놀이터)’ is a portmanteau of 'LAW' and 'EATER,' a term referring to foreign individuals who are able to acquire the necessary legal knowledge to lead a proper life in Korea.
Such a name was given in the hopes that—in acquiring key legal understanding—those who come across the publication will be able to consider Korea as a safe “playground” for them to enjoy. With the publication of this guide, it is expected that foreigners will receive guidance on how to navigate the legal issues they commonly face in Korea.
2. Currently, with an increase in international marriages and multicultural families, as well as an influx of skilled foreign workers due to Korea’s low birth rate issue, the number of foreigners and immigrants residing in Korea has risen to exceed 2.5 million. The government plans to establish an Overseas Korean Affairs Department and an Immigration Department as a response to such situation, but there are still a number of institutional and legal barriers that need to be overcome.
3. From the moment foreigners begin their residence in Korea, they face various legal problems such as civil, criminal, family, administrative, immigration issues, etc. Unfortunately, they often find themselves in unfavorable or undeserved situations due to their lack of legal knowledge.
4. Minseok Ko, Senior Partner with KORUS LAW, stated, "Foreigners residing in Korea often face language barriers and lack knowledge regarding Korean law due to their foreign status, placing them in a very disadvantageous position." He further stated, "In order for foreigners to protect their rights and lead a humane life in Korea, it is important for them to cultivate basic legal knowledge on Korean law, which is why I decided to make this guide along with other members of my firm."
5. The guide not only serves as a legal guide to help foreigners adapt well to Korean society and navigate their way through various legal issues, but also contributes to fostering a sense of lawfulness and knowledge that is important for settling down in Korean society.
6. "LAW-EATER(놀이터)" was co-authored by Minseok Ko (Korean attorney), Mansu Kim (Korean attorney), Hyerim Park (interpreter specializing in court and refugee cases), Jae Young Baek (foreign attorney), Seungjin Lee (foreign attorney), Jaehong Lee (J.D.), HoYeon Lee (interpreter and translator), and sponsored by Sarang Sam Foundation (Chairman Yun-Deok Oh), the Embassy of Romania in Korea (Ambassador Cezar Manole Armeanu), the Global Legal Clinic at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Director Hee-Moon Jo), and the Busan Global City Foundation (CEO Yong-woo Jeon).
7. "LAW-EATER(놀이터)" is available in e-book format, which can be accessed through the websites of foreign embassies and consulates in Korea, global centers for foreigners in local governments, koruslaw.com (KORUS LAW), as well as consulateroinko.com (Honorary Consulate General of Romania in Incheon). The guide can also be viewed on mobile devices, meaning that readers can access the content anywhere, at any time. KORUS LAW plans to regularly publish and distribute major cases of foreigners as part of a series in the future.