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LEGAL EDUCATION SUPPORT ACT

Act No. 8992, Mar. 28, 2008

 Article 1 (Purpose)
The purpose of this Act is to assist nationals to develop a reasonable awareness of the law, based on autonomy and harmony, and foster sound democratic citizens who understand the basic order of a free democracy by providing for matters necessary for supporting and providing legal education in a systematic manner, thereby contributing to realizing the principle of the rule of law.
 Article 2 (Definitions)
The definitions of terms used in this Act shall be as follows:
1. The term "legal education" means all education related to law, with the purposes of developing an ability to understand the law, reasonable ability to think, positive awareness of participation, a sense of public order and constitutional value, which are necessary for democratic citizens, by providing knowledge and functions on the law, the processes of establishing the law, the legal system and the principles or value of the law to adolescents or the general public;
2. The term "legal education in schools" means all legal education provided as a part of curriculum in schools under Article 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and under Article 2 of the Higher Education Act;
3. The term "legal education in society" means all legal education provided by organizations related to legal education, lifelong education institutions, etc. under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Lifelong Education Act.
 Article 3 (Obligations of State and Local Governments)
(1) The State shall formulate policies concerning the following matters, so as to support legal education:
1. Formulation and implementation of basic plans on legal education;
2. Raising public awareness of legal education;
3. Fostering, allocation, treatment and training of human resources specializing in legal education;
4. Research, development and support of programs related to legal education;
5. Expansion and management of facilities or equipment necessary for legal education;
6. Establishment and operation of the cooperation network of legal education;
7. Other matters necessary for supporting legal education.
(2) The State shall establish the cooperation system among the relevant central administrative agencies, local governments, and the Offices of Education in the Special Metropolitan City, the Metropolitan Cities, Dos, and the Special Self-Governing Province, so as to efficiently implement polices falling under each subparagraph of paragraph (1).
(3) The State and local governments may provide financial support to legal education projects, within budget limits, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 4 (Establishment of Legal Education Committee)
(1) The Legal Education Committee shall be established under the control of the Ministry of Justice, so as to deliberate on matters concerning the formulation of major policies on legal education, the implementation of projects and the efficient operation of a budget.
(2) The Legal Education Committee shall deliberate on the following matters:
1. Establishment of policy directions for legal education;
2. Matters concerning the formulation of basic plans on legal education and annual implementation plans;
3. Matters concerning cooperation and coordination of affairs related to legal education;
4. Other matters necessary for achieving the purposes of the Legal Education Committee.
(3) The Legal Education Committee shall be comprised of and operated by 25 or less members appointed by the Minister of Justice, from among public officials belonging to the relevant central administrative agencies prescribed by Presidential Decree and persons with abundant knowledge and experiences in legal education.
(4) The Minister of Justice shall appoint more than a half of members, from among persons who do not belong to central administrative agencies.
(5) The Chairperson of the Legal Education Committee shall be appointed by the Minister of Justice, from among members of the Legal Education Committee.
(6) Necessary matters concerning the composition and operation of the Legal Education Committee, except as otherwise provided for by paragraphs (1) through (4), shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 5 (Designation of Legal Culture Promotion Center)
(1) The Minister of Justice may designate any institution, organization or facility, which has the main purpose of providing legal education or is able to provide legal education, as the legal culture promotion center, after undergoing deliberations of the Legal Education Committee under Article 4.
(2) Matters necessary for the designation and operation of the legal culture promotion center shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 6 (Research and Development of Legal Education)
(1) The State and local governments shall endeavor to research and develop policies and methods related to legal education.
(2) The Minister of Justice may support and develop institutions or organizations specializing in the research of legal education, so as to promote research and development under paragraph (1).
(3) Necessary matters concerning the scope of institutions or organizations under paragraph (2) and methods of supporting and developing such institutions, etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 7 (Support for Legal Education in Schools)
(1) The State and local governments may support the research and development of legal education programs operated by schools under Article 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Article 2 of the Higher Education Act, various activities related to legal education and facilities or equipment therefor, so as to improve the quality of legal education in schools.
(2) The State and local government may support various activities related to legal education in schools and autonomous events.
 Article 8 (Providing Opportunity of Training to Teachers)
(1) The State and local governments may provide opportunities for training for legal education, the purpose of which lies in developing the expertise of teachers, to teachers and support training programs of private education institutions for legal education.
(2) The State and local governments may support research and various activities conducted by teachers, with regard to legal education.
 Article 9 (Support for Legal Education in Society)
(1) The State and local governments may support the research and development of legal education programs operated by organizations related to legal education and lifelong education institutions under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Lifelong Education Act, various activities related to legal education and facilities or equipment therefor, so as to develop public awareness of the law.
(2) The State and local governments may facilitate the curriculum related to legal education to be provided in liberal classes or cultural classes operated by the State, local governments and public institutions, etc.
(3) The State and local governments may support various activities regarding legal education of facilities or organizations which protect or support the educationally underprivileged class, such as disabled persons, basic livelihood security recipients, North Korean defectors and foreigners.
(4) Operators of education facilities may allow education institutions, etc. to use part of facilities after school hours or during holidays and vacations, in an effort to support legal education.
 Article 10 (Request for Cooperation from Public Institutions)
(1) The Minister of Justice may request for cooperation from the heads of other central administrative agencies, local governments and public institutions, etc., when necessary for implementing and supporting legal education projects.
(2) Any one who is requested to provide cooperation under paragraph (1) shall comply with such requests, unless any extraordinary ground exists to the contrary.
 Article 11 (Relations with other Acts)
Support for legal education shall be governed by this Act, except as otherwise provided in other Acts.
ADDENDUM
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.