The year 2025, the Year of the Blue Snake (乙巳年), has dawned. Before anything else, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the victims who lost their lives in the tragic accident at Muan Airport at the end of last year. My heartfelt sympathies also go out to their bereaved families.

Over the past year, we have navigated numerous legal and societal challenges, gaining invaluable experiences along the way. Thanks to your continued interest and participation, the Korean Society of Law was able to dedicate itself wholeheartedly to its mission throughout 2024. I extend my sincere gratitude to all of you.

In February 2024, we published the 200th issue of Justice, our bi-monthly academic journal indexed by the National Research Foundation of Korea. It is through the contributions of dedicated researchers that we have been able to maintain our commitment to publishing six issues annually. In October, we successfully hosted the 14th Korean Jurists' Conference at Korea University. Unlike previous conferences that were primarily centered around academic societies, this year’s event was restructured to allow institutions within the Korean Society of Law to take the lead in presentations and discussions. As a result, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Korean Bar Association, the Korea Law Professors Association, the Judicial Policy Research Institute, the Constitutional Research Institute, and the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice actively contributed to fostering meaningful discourse between legal practitioners and scholars. In preparation for the World Jurists’ Conference in October 2026, we invited representatives from Deutscher Juristentag and UNIDROIT, taking a significant step toward global engagement. To strengthen ongoing collaboration with various institutions, we formalized Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Constitutional Research Institute and the Korea Legislation Research Institute, building upon our existing agreements with the Judicial Policy Research Institute and the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice. Furthermore, our Research Division has continued its rigorous efforts by publishing research reports and current issue reports, while also organizing summer and winter seminars—an ongoing commitment to our founding mission.

The year 2025 will mark yet another pivotal moment for our legal system and society. In recent years, we have faced rapid and unprecedented changes in the legal landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain are increasingly shaping legal systems, making it imperative that we remain prepared to adapt and respond effectively.

The collaboration of judges, prosecutors, attorneys, legal scholars, and military legal officers in discussing, researching, and shaping the evolution of the law holds profound significance. The Korean Society of Law will continue to serve as a platform where experts from diverse fields can come together to exchange knowledge and expertise. While each of us may operate within different legal domains, it is through our collective efforts—guided by cooperation, mutual respect, and dedication—that we can foster a more advanced legal environment. In this spirit, we will begin thorough preparations in 2025 for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Jurists’ Conference. Your ongoing engagement and enthusiasm will be instrumental in this endeavor.

As we embark on this new year, I wish all our esteemed members good health, happiness, and fulfillment in both personal and professional pursuits. May each of you achieve even greater success in your respective fields. Thank you.

January 1, 2025

Lee, Ki-Su, President
Korean Society of Law