New human rights law group head pushes for reform

Baek Seung-heon, president of Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun)

Leader calls for need to 'present alternatives'

Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), during its annual conference May 27, elected Baek Seung-heon of the law firm Hankyul as its new president, who immediately said changes are needed in the group. The organization was founded in 1988 and is known for its involvement in human rights causes.

"It no longer means something just for Minbyun to be in existence," said Baek. "Instead of just bringing important issues to light, we need to present alternative [solutions]."

Baek had praise for the group’s weekly "legal advice centers" during the turbulent evacuation of protesters and residents due to the U.S. Army base relocation to Pyeongtaek, saying the group has been engaging in "far more organized and constructive activities than in the past."

He also praised the group’s task force on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, noting the group has been formally demanding the government release information currently being negotiated.

Minbyun will promote "diversification of the membership" of the South Korean Supreme Court and its transformation into a "policy court," says Mr. Baek. However, when it comes to the court’s composition, "we are not going to suggest specific candidates, as other organizations do."

Some of the organization’s members are being talked about as potential Supreme Court candidates, showing the changing of the political tide in modern South Korea. When the group began, members were decidedly far left of the mainstream. When Minbyun began, it had 51 members. Today it has 538, but has come under criticism of late for being inactive. Of this year’s graduates of the Judicial Research and Training Center, where everyone who passes the bar examination goes to receive training as judges, prosecutors, or lawyers, only four chose to join Minbyun. According to Mr. Baek, the younger members have maintained a lower profile, as well. "I’m worried about the fact that few of the younger member lawyers are active participants," he said.

Mr. Baek, 43, holds the record for having been Korea’s youngest attorney, having passed the bar exam at age 23, during his third year of undergraduate study.

Go Namu, [e-mail]