■ Time: 2024. 4. 5. -7​. ■​ Venue: Iino Hall & Conference Center, Tokyo, Japan■​ Topics include:LGBTIQ rights of gay marriage; where to next?Preventing gender-based violence with a focus on Southern AfricaI am a lawyer, but I keep being arrested when I do my job: help!Arbitrary detention: Article 9 of the ICCPR and its relevance in the third decadeMigration, workers and human rightsUDHR 75th anniversary – future perspectives for legal practitioners and their clientsBHR and its impact for general counselAddressing the social and human dimension of climate change – what needs to be doneModern slavery: what do the next five years look like?Death penalty: intersection with fundamental human rights and criminal lawAn exceptional chemical weapons tribunal: closing the chemical weapons impunity gap?Gender inclusive justice for international crimes committed in Myanmar: perspectives on prevention in the futurePracticing law in post-coup Myanmar: challenges and opportunities​​

Dear Esteemed members and colleagues,As we bid farewell to the eventful year of Black Rabbit and welcome the New Year of Blue Dragon filled with the auspicious energy of the dragon, I extend my wishes for hope and joy to fill your homes and workplaces.The legal community faced numerous challenges in the past year, transcending the boundaries between the private and public sectors. Especially with the unprecedented simultaneous vacancies in the positions of Chief Justice and Constitutional Court Chief Justice, the judiciary experienced significant disruptions, affecting both judicial administration and trial proceedings.Recognizing the potential dire consequences of prolonged vacancies in the leadership of the two branches of the judiciary, the Korean Bar Association, representing 30,000 attorneys nationwide, took decisive action. We rallied the collective will of our members, conducted rigorous personnel verification, and publicly appointed individuals with exemplary integrity from within and beyond the legal community to fill these crucial roles.Fortunately, those recommended by the KBA swiftly assumed their positions as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. This enabled the judiciary to refocus on its fundamental roles of upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the basic rights of the citizens.In the face of unprecedented challenges, the KBA played a crucial role in resolving the judicial crisis swiftly and mediating political conflicts. We are proud to have fulfilled our duty aligned with the noble mission bestowed upon lawyers by the era and history.The KBA did not neglect efforts to enhance the status and compensation of attorneys in the rapidly changing legal environment. In 2022, during the performance of a research project commissioned by the Supreme Court, we vehemently advocated for the realistic compensation of state-appointed attorneys. As a result, the remuneration per case in general state-appointed cases increased by KRW 50,000. Furthermore, last year, despite the full cut at the ministry of economy and finance level, we tirelessly worked, and in December, secured an additional budget of KRW 39.49 billion in the National Assembly, resulting in a KRW 50,000 increase in compensation for general state-appointed attorneys in criminal trials.Not content with this achievement, we are committed to achieving more significant and meaningful results this year. We will continue our efforts with a sense of urgency and determination.Additionally, in the new year, we will focus on creating opportunities for our members to expand their stage of activity, fostering a foundation for overseas expansion. We are actively pursuing measures to allow successful candidates during the attorney examination training period to gain experience in foreign legal systems and international arbitration. Our goal is to solidify a strong foundation for members to actively engage on the global stage.For solo practitioners, we will work on gradually enhancing the competitiveness of the public legal platform 'My Lawyer.' In the past year, we added the 'Instant Consultation' feature to My Lawyer, streamlining the entire process from consultation booking to payment. This leap in service quality was aimed at ensuring both consumers and providers are satisfied. This year, we will focus on securing government support to establish a public system that satisfies both consumers and legal professionals, expanding your client base while ensuring the public nature and independence of the legal market and attorney activities.Furthermore, in the legislative and policy arena, we will handle every matter with careful consideration and resolute action to avoid any setbacks. We will steadfastly devote ourselves to ensuring that the legal industry remains undisturbed by external pressures, consistently striving to meet your support and expectations.The KBA has, for the past 71 years, upheld the rights of the people and our members, diligently pursuing the communal mission of advocating for human rights and achieving social justice. As we continue this honorable tradition into the new year, we will listen attentively to the small voices of our members and take each step with humility.I earnestly request your encouragement and support so that all the efforts of the KBA may bear fruit for the benefit of our members.Wishing you all success in your endeavors in the auspicious year of the Blue Dragon. Happy New Year!Thank you.January 1, 2024Kim Young HoonPresident of Korean Bar Association​