A Reflection on Practical Training in Legal Education in South Korea

Abstract

The emphasis on practical training in legal education has come to the fore in many countries. It is little different in South Korea, where curricula for legal education now include a range of courses categorized as practical training. The author questions whether the subjects taught under the title practical training effectively prepare students for practice in the real world. Education in legal theory and practical training are connected, which makes the categorization of courses specifically aimed at practical training inappropriate. More emphasis should be given to instilling practice awareness throughout all of legal education. It is argued that, in order to develop professional skills, incorporating practice awareness throughout the entire legal education curricula is important - that is, not limiting such skills to practical training courses, but integrating them throughout the teaching of legal theory. © Cambridge University Press and KoGuan Law School, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.