In this blog post, I will outline, in order, my academic experiences in high school, my extracurricular activities, examples of compassion and service, and my motivation for applying to a law program along with my career plans.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
In high school, I took a keen interest in the social studies curriculum and enjoyed studying it. While the variety of social studies subjects made it challenging to master them all at once, that very diversity sparked my passion to learn more. At my school, students took Economics, Sociocultural Studies, and Korean History as required courses in their freshman year, and in their sophomore year, they engaged in in-depth study through elective courses such as Ethics, Modern and Contemporary History, and Law and Politics.
I chose to study four subjects: Sociocultural Studies, Law and Politics, Ethics and Philosophy, and Economics. This choice came naturally because I had always been very interested in law and politics and enjoyed reflecting on social issues on my own. In the Law and Politics class, I was introduced to the basic concepts of the Constitution, democracy, and international politics, which helped me organize my thoughts more systematically.
One activity that stands out in my memory was the mock National Assembly. We held debates on whether to pass a constitutional amendment based on a theme for the semester, and I primarily served as the Speaker of the National Assembly, mediating when discussions became heated. When debates turned emotional, I played the role of a mediator, guiding participants to follow the rules, and I personally felt the importance of law and procedure even in small situations. This experience led me to analyze scenes of actual politicians in the National Assembly to identify irrational aspects or areas for improvement, and to consider more ideal ways to conduct meetings.
In my Ethics and Philosophy class, I compared Korean and Western ethical systems and came to understand how ethics and morality are shaped within their social and historical contexts. Through this course, I was able to organize my own understanding of the process by which new ideas emerge where ethics are lacking, and how ethics develop in places where social order is deficient, eventually taking root as law.
In the Sociocultural Studies class, I developed the ability to view social phenomena from diverse perspectives by engaging with the viewpoints of various theorists and practicing the interpretation of statistics and graphs. In economics, I strove to understand economic theories by applying them to social and political phenomena rather than simply memorizing them, and I cultivated the habit of thinking holistically by connecting the subject with other social studies courses. By studying these subjects in an interconnected manner, I was able to build a deep understanding of social studies.
Major School Activities and Reflections
The activity that further fueled my interest in law was participating in the school’s law club. In the club, we engaged in various activities, such as constitutional debates, analyses of unsolved cases, and reviews of miscarriages of justice. We also practiced drafting court rulings, evaluating each other’s work, and presenting our findings. Additionally, we actively participated in field-related activities, such as field trips to legal institutions, off-campus mock trial competitions, and preparing for policy forums.
Among these, the visit to the Judicial Research and Training Institute was the most memorable experience. As this is the institution where those who pass the bar exam receive training, it was a place I was eager to visit, given my aspiration to become a legal professional. Through a legal education program for high school students, I participated in a variety of hands-on activities over the course of two nights and three days. The application process involved gathering internal applicants and submitting personal statements, and it served as an opportunity to broaden my perspective by interacting with students from other regions.
On the first day of the program, we introduced ourselves, formed teams, and prepared for a mock trial. Each team assigned roles such as judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and witness, and we held discussions with judges on-site, exchanging views on the definition of justice. As we debated in teams based on movies or real-life cases, I felt that the topics we usually covered in our club were expanding into new perspectives.
On the second day, we had the opportunity to observe a real court proceeding and speak with the prosecutor and defense attorney who had handled the case. By experiencing firsthand the solemn atmosphere and procedures of the courtroom—which I had previously only seen in the media—I truly realized how different the perspectives of legal professionals are when viewing a case. Hearing directly from them that even among legal professionals, judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys interpret and approach cases differently broadened my understanding.
On the final day, there was a team-based mock trial demonstration. I took on the role of judge, tasked with drafting and reading the verdict aloud. Through this process, I deeply felt the impartiality, composure, and sense of responsibility that a judge must possess. I also came to understand how much patience, knowledge, and sound judgment are required to render a decision while adhering to procedures and refraining from emotional responses. Through these experiences, I have become even more determined to attend law school and subsequently undergo training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute.
Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
In my class activities, I served as vice president during my first and second years of high school, and in my senior year, I was elected president by my classmates’ recommendation to help manage the class. As president, I developed a strong sense of responsibility by maintaining order during self-study periods, communicating academic announcements, and coordinating school schedules. Thanks to my consistently cheerful and friendly demeanor, I was able to build strong relationships of trust with my classmates.
One day, my homeroom teacher called me aside to inform me that a classmate’s father had been hospitalized following a sudden traffic accident. The teacher also mentioned that, since the family was not well-off, the medical bills might be a significant burden, so the teacher and I decided to hold a class meeting to find a way to help. I carefully explained the situation so as not to alarm or worry the students, and then convened an emergency class meeting.
During the meeting, the students offered a variety of heartfelt suggestions, such as visiting the family, sending words of comfort, and collecting money to help with the hospital bills. Ultimately, we agreed that everyone should contribute whatever amount they could—no matter how small—to help cover the medical expenses. The very next day, every single student in the class, without exception, contributed to the fund and delivered the money. The students who went with me offered words of comfort to the mother and comforted their distressed classmate.
Throughout that week, I visited the hospital with the homeroom teacher whenever I had a chance to encourage my classmate, and I took notes on the class material, organized them into printouts, and delivered them to him. Witnessing firsthand how small acts of help can come together to provide great comfort, I deeply appreciated the value of mutual support and cooperation. This experience served as a reminder of the importance of responsibility and solidarity within a community.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
My motivation for applying to the law school stems from my interest in law and my club activities during high school. Through mock trials and case law analysis in my club and the Judicial Research and Training Institute program, I deepened my understanding of the structure and procedures of the law. In particular, my experience with a mock trial involving tax evasion charges sparked my interest in tax law. The fact that many of the cases discussed in my club involved significant economic issues further fueled my interest in tax law.
What particularly piqued my interest were legal issues linked to economic activity among various social phenomena. As I studied the types of taxes and tax payment rules in detail, my interest in various legal fields related to economic activity—such as constitutional law and labor law—grew, ultimately leading to the specific goal of presiding over trials that primarily handle tax-related cases, such as inheritance tax and property tax.
My academic plan after admission is to prioritize building a solid foundation in law during my undergraduate studies. Starting in my first year, I plan to systematically organize basic theories and terminology, and as I advance through the program, I intend to diligently complete advanced courses to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the law. In particular, for property law courses—such as the Law of Property Rights and the Law of Obligations—I plan to engage in in-depth, case-law-centered study; to this end, I intend to organize a study group to analyze and discuss various court precedents.
After successfully completing my undergraduate studies, my goal is to attend a law school specializing in tax law to develop my expertise. To prepare for law school, I will consistently practice skills such as mock trials, case analysis, and quantitative data interpretation throughout my undergraduate studies. I also intend to cultivate an international perspective by studying foreign case law and international tax issues. Through this step-by-step preparation, I aim to grow into a legal professional specializing in tax law.
