Articles of Association and Regulations

Articles of Association
of the Korean Society of Law
Regulations
on the election of executives, etc.
Regulations
on Administration

Articles of Association of the Korean Society of Law

Established July 31, 1956
Revised January 16, 1959
April 10, 1972
October 4, 1976
June 4, 1981
January 13, 1983
February 18, 1992
January 31, 2001
January 28, 2010
January 24, 2013
January 23, 2014
January 22, 2016 (comprehensive revision)
January 27, 2022
January 27, 2023

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 (Name): This organization shall be called the Korean Society of Law(hereafter referred to as “the Society”).

Article 2 (Location): The main office of the Society shall be located in Seoul.

Article 3 (Purpose): The purpose of the Society shall be to contribute to the stability and prosperity of national life and world peace through the improvement of legal culture, by conducting the following activities: 1. Training for lawyers and presentation of legal research
2. Investigating, collecting, and researching domestic and foreign laws and precedents, and performing legal-related services for government and other organizations
3. Publishing and translating legal materials, books, and journals
4. Supporting legal research organizations and institutions
5. International exchange of legal professionals
6. Participation in domestic and foreign legal organizations
7. Suggestions on the establishment, revision, and enforcement of laws and regulations.
8. Commendation for those who have contributed to the improvement of legal culture
9. Dissemination of legal knowledge to the public
10. Other activities incidental to the above

Article 4 (Method of Public Notice): Public notices of the Society shall be published in the Lawtimes.

Chapter 2 Membership

Article 5 (Members): ① Members of the Society are those who fall under one of the following categories: 1. Judges, prosecutors, and lawyers
2. Justices, the secretary general, the deputy secretary general, and constitutional rapporteur judges of the Constitutional Court of Korea
3. Law professors (associate professors or higher)
4. Legal officers, military legal officers, public interest legal officers, judicial research official/researcher of the court and public officials with a lawyer qualification
5. Foreign legal consultants registered with the Korean Bar Association under Article 10, Paragraph 1 of the Foreign Legal Consultants Act
6. Other individuals approved by the Board of Directors ② Law firms, legal offices, companies, or organizations can become corporate members with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article 6 (Rights): ① Members have the right to vote and stand for election of executives.
② Members may make suggestions regarding the management of the Society.
③ Members can participate in the Society's affairs and use its facilities.

Article 7 (Obligations): Members must pay the designated membership fee and comply with the Articles of Association, regulations, and resolutions of the general assembly.

Article 8 (Expulsion): If a member violates the purpose of the Society or fails to perform its duties faithfully, the member may be expelled by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Chapter 3 Executive Officers

Article 9 (Executive Officers): ① The following executive officers shall be appointed in the Society:
1. President: 1 person
2. Vice Presidents: 5 persons
3. Directors: 15 to 20 persons
4. Auditors: 2 persons ② The president shall be one of the directors, and the other directors shall not have representative authority.

Article 10 (Appointment): ① The executive officers shall be elected at the general meeting.
② The vice presidents shall be selected from the following persons: 1. Vice-Minister of Justice
2. Deputy Director of the National Court Administration
3. Deputy Secretary General of the Constitutional Court
4. Person recommended by the Korean Bar Association
5. Person recommended by the Korean Law Professors Association ③ Among the Directors, 2 persons recommended by the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Korean Bar Association, and the Korean Law Professors Association shall be included, and 1 person recommended by the Constitutional Court, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Government Legislation may be included.

Article 11 (Term of Office): ① The term of office for the executive officers shall be two years.
② In the event of a vacancy in the executive officers, a successor shall be elected, and the term of the successor shall be the remaining term of the predecessor.

Article 12 (Duties): ① The president shall represent the Society and oversee the administration.
② The vice presidents shall assist the president, and in the event of an accident involving the president, they shall perform the president's duties in the order specified in Article 10, Paragraph 2.
③ The directors shall deliberate and resolve important matters related to the administration, and handle the administration delegated by the president as members of the Board of Directors.
④ The president may appoint a director to be in charge of a particular aspect of the administration among the directors.
⑤ The Auditors shall audit the finances and business operations of the Society.

Article 13 (Consultants): The president may appoint consultants with the approval of the Board of Directors to seek advice on the operation of the Society.

Article 14 (Employees): ① The Society shall employ necessary full-time employees to carry out its business.
② The number of full-time employees shall be determined separately with the approval of the relevant government agency.

Chapter 4 General Assembly

Article 15 (Composition): ① The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Society and is composed of 150 to 200 delegates.
② Delegates are elected by the organizations or institutions to which members belong. However, members without affiliation can gather separately to elect their own delegates.
③ The number of delegates per organization or institution is determined by the Board of Directors based on the number of members.
④ The term of office for delegates is two years.
⑤ In case of a vacancy among the delegates, a replacement must be elected, and the term of the replacement will be for the remaining term of the predecessor.
⑥ Delegates must be elected one month before the expiration of their term, and the election must be promptly notified to the Society.

Article 16 (Functions): The General Assembly decides on the following matters: 1. Amendments to the articles of incorporation
2. Approval of business plans
3. Approval of budgets and settlements
4. Election of executives
5. Other important matters designated by the Board of Directors

Article 17 (Types): ① The General Assembly is divided into regular and special sessions.
② The regular session is convened once a year in January.
③ The special session is convened in the following cases: 1. When deemed necessary by the president
2. When more than one-third of the delegates demand the convocation of the Assembly, specifying the purpose of the meeting ④ In the case of Article 3, Item 2, the president must convene the Assembly within one month of the demand.

Article 18 (Convocation): ① The General Assembly is convened by notifying the delegates of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting one week before the meeting date.
② The president must also make this notification public, as stated in paragraph 1.

Article 19 (Meeting): ① The General Assembly is constituted by the attendance of a majority of the delegates.
② Unless otherwise provided by law or articles of association, decisions are made by the affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates present. However, in the case of a tied vote, the Chairperson shall have the deciding vote.
③ The president serves as the Chairperson of the General Assembly.

Chapter 5 Board of Directors

Article 20 (Composition): The board of directors shall consist of consists of the president, vice presidents, and directors.

Article 21 (Functions): The board of directors shall deliberate on the following matters: 1. Matters regarding the establishment and amendment of regulations
2. Matters regarding the convocation of general meetings
3. Matters regarding proposals to be submitted to general meetings
4. Matters delegated by the general meeting
5. Other matters necessary for the operation of the Society

Article 22 (Convocation and Meeting): ① The board of directors shall be convened when deemed necessary by the president, or when more than one-third of the members request a meeting with the purpose of the meeting specified.
② The board of directors is convened by the president, who serves as the chairperson..
③ Decisions of the board of directors shall be made by a majority of the attending directors, provided that a majority of the directors attend.

Chapter 6 Finances

Article 23 (Funds): The finances of the Society shall be secured by the following sources: 1. Membership fees
2. Government subsidies
3. Donations or sponsorships
4. Income from interest
5. Other miscellaneous income

Article 24 (Donations): The amount of annual donations and their usage shall be disclosed to the public through the Society's official website.

Article 25 (Fiscal Year): The fiscal year of the Society shall start on January 1st and end on December 31st of each year.

Article 26 (Budget and Settlement): ① The income and expenses of the Society shall be budgeted and approved by the general assembly for each fiscal year.
② The settlement of the income and expenses shall be reported to and approved by the general assembly for the following fiscal year.

Chapter 7 Supplementary Provisions

Article 27 (Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation): The amendment of these Articles of Association shall be made at the General Assembly with the attendance of more than half of the eligible members and the approval of two-thirds or more of the attending members.

Article 28 (Dissolution): ① The dissolution of the Society shall be made at the General Assembly with the attendance of more than half of the eligible members and the approval of two-thirds or more of the attending members.
② When the Society is dissolved, the remaining assets shall belong to the state.

Article 29 (Regulations): The Society may establish regulations through the resolution of the Board of Directors to specify detailed matters necessary for the enforcement of these Articles of Incorporation.

Addendum

1. This amendment to the bylaws shall be in effect from the date of approval by the relevant government agency.

Regulations on the election of executives, etc

Established on January 26, 1987. Regulation No.1.
1st Amendment on January 28, 2010.
2nd Amendment on January 22, 2016.
3rd Amendment on January 21, 2020.

Article 1 (Purpose): The purpose of these regulations is to establish the detailed procedures for the election of executives as stipulated in Article 10 of the Articles of Association and for the election of delegates as stipulated in Article 15 of the Articles of Association.

Article 2 (Election of President): ① The president shall be elected by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Recommendation Committee.
② The President Recommendation Committee shall consist of five members recommended by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, the Minister of Justice, the President of the Korean Bar Association, and the President of the Korean Law Professors Association. The president of the Committee shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
③ The President Recommendation Committee shall resolve on one candidate for President before the opening of the General Assembly and recommend the candidate to the General Assembly.

Article 3 (Election of Vice President): ① The person designated in Article 10, paragraph 2, subparagraphs 1 to 3 of the Articles of Association shall become a vice president automatically from the date of assumption of the office until retirement. (Amended on January 28, 2010)
② The person designated in Article 10, paragraph 2, subparagraphs 4 and 5 of the Articles of Association shall be recommended by the relevant recommending authority in advance upon the occurrence of the grounds for their election, and the General Assembly shall elect them through a proper voting process.

Article 4 (Election of Directors): ① Directors shall be elected at the General Assembly, including two persons recommended by the Supreme Court, Ministry of Justice, Korean Bar Association, and Korean Law Professors Association, respectively, in accordance with Article 10, Paragraph 3 of the Articles of Association.
② Prior to convening a General Assembly for the election of directors, the president shall request that each of the organizations listed in Paragraph 1 recommend candidates for directors. The president shall then report the recommended candidates to the General Assembly.
③ The General Assembly shall vote on the election of directors in an appropriate manner among the candidates recommended under Paragraph 2.
④ Except for the directors elected under Paragraph 2, the remaining directors shall be recommended by the newly elected president and approved by the General Assembly in an appropriate manner, unless a special resolution is passed at the assembly. However, in the case of election by unanimous consent under Article 11, Paragraph 2 of the Articles of Association, the then-current president shall recommend the candidate.

Article 5 (Election of Auditor): ① The auditor shall be elected at the General Assembly, and shall hold office from the time the Chief of the Planning and Coordination Office of the Supreme Court and the Director of the Planning and Coordination Department of the Prosecutor's Office assume their respective positions until they retire.
② The provisions of Article 4, Paragraphs 2 and 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the election of the auditor.

Article 6 (Election of Delegates): ① Delegates shall be elected in proportion to the appropriate ratio for each organization or institution to which members belong, in accordance with Article 15, Paragraph 2 of the articles of association.
② In the event of a vacancy among delegates, the president shall request the relevant organization, group, or members to elect a successor.

Supplementary Provisions: 1. This regulation shall enter into force on January 22, 2016.
2. This regulation shall enter into force on July 1, 2020.

Regulations on Administration

Regulation No. 2 established on June 25, 1996
1st revision on January 18, 2010
2nd revision on January 22, 2016

Article 1 (Purpose): The purpose of this regulation is to establish the necessary matters for the administration of the Korean Society of Law (hereafter referred to as “the Society”) to smoothly carry out the purpose of the business as defined in the articles of association.

Article 2 (Membership Register): ① The Society must have a membership register.
② The membership register must be compiled annually on January 1st, categorized by affiliated organizations or institutions.

Article 3 (Standing Directors): ① The president may appoint a standing director to be in charge of the administration of the Society from among the directors.
② The standing directors shall be composed of the following positions: a general director, a financial director, a business director, a research director, a public director, and a planning director.
③ The general director shall be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Establishing a basic plan for the organization and operation of the Society
2. Drafting and amending the Society's regulations
3. Calling and operating various meetings
4. Publishing the Society's journal
5. Other matters not belonging to the jurisdiction of other standing directors ④ The financial director shall be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Preparation of budget and financial statements
2. Management of income, expenses, and property of the Society
3. Other matters related to the Society's finances ⑤ The business director shall be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Establishment and operation of the Society's business plan
2. Cooperation and support with legal research organizations, etc.
3. Proposals for the enactment, amendment, and abolition of laws and regulations
4. Commendation of those who have contributed to the improvement of legal culture ⑥ The research director shall be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Hosting and operating domestic academic conferences
2. Editing and publishing academic journals
3. Translating and promoting domestic and foreign laws, precedents, and legal literature
4. Other matters related to academic research ⑦ The public director shall be responsible for the following tasks: 1. International exchange of legal professionals
2. Cooperation and participation with foreign legal professional organizations
3. Cooperation with members' overseas study business
4. Support for foreign legal professionals' domestic research activities ⑧ The planning director shall be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Major planning for the Society's business
2. Cooperation with related institutions such as courts, prosecutors' offices, the Constitutional Court, the Korean Bar Association, the Korean Law Professors Association, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Government Legislation, and the Ministry of National Defense
3. Cooperation in external affairs with various academic organizations, etc.

Article 4 (Executive Committee): ① The Society shall establish an Executive Committee to deliberate on matters related to the execution of its business.
② The Executive Committee shall consist of the president and the executive directors.
③ The Executive Committee shall convene at least once a month or whenever the president deems it necessary.
④ The Executive Committee shall deliberate on matters related to the entire management of the Society, as proposed by the president or any of the executive directors.

Article 5 (Committees): The Society may establish various committees, through a resolution of the Board of Directors, to handle matters necessary for its operation and to carry out tasks entrusted by the president.

Article 6 (Local Branch): ① A local branch shall appoint a local branch manager and may establish its own regulations for the efficient operation of its duties.
② When a local branch establishes or revises its own regulations, it shall report to the main office.

Article 7 (Members in Charge of Affairs): ① The president may appoint one or more members in charge of affairs based on recommendations from member organizations or institutions.
② Members in charge of affairs shall be responsible for matters related to the performance of duties of the Society, including communication and collaboration with members of their respective organizations or institutions.
③ Members in charge of affairs may be supported with necessary expenses within the scope of the budget for their duties.

Article 8 (Secretariat): ① A secretariat shall be established to handle the affairs of the Society.
② The secretariat shall have a secretary-general and necessary staff.
③ The secretary-general and staff members of the secretariat shall be full-time employees, and the secretary-general shall be responsible for the general affairs of the Society and supervise subordinate staff members under the direction of the president.
④ The president shall appoint the secretary-general with the approval of the board of directors, and other staff members shall be appointed by the president after deliberation by the standing board of directors.

Article 9 (Academic Research Division): ① An academic research division shall be established for conducting research, presentations, and research services in civil, commercial, and fundamental law, as well as for government or other organizations.<2016.1.22 Newly established>
② The academic research division shall have senior research fellows and associate research fellows.

Article 10 (Publication Division): A publication division shall be established in the Society.<2016.1.22 Newly established>

Supplementary Provision: 1. These regulations shall come into effect on January 22, 2016.