[CALS] Reflections of Judge Kim Yun Hee, CALS Visiting Scholar

CALS had the honor of hosting Judge Kim Yun Hee, from the Korean Judiciary. Judge Kim was our Visiting Scholar from February to December 2024.

Please find her reflection below:

I have had the honor of serving as a judge in South Korea for over 15 years. This year, I was fortunate to be selected by the judiciary for an international research opportunity at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Choosing NUS as my destination was a deliberate decision, inspired by the growing collaboration between South Korea and Singapore in legal and academic fields.

Prior to joining NUS, I handled a wide range of criminal cases, including securities-related offenses and juvenile crimes, issuing verdicts on an average of 100 cases per month. Stepping away from such intensive work and returning to an academic environment at NUS was both refreshing and enriching.

At NUS, I was deeply inspired by the diverse academic discussions and seminars hosted by CALS and other centers. My primary research focuses on comparative study of insider trading regulations in South Korea and Singapore. In addition to this, I had the opportunity to attend a lot of seminars. These experiences exposed me to a wide range of perspectives, not only on topics actively debated in South Korea but also on issues that are not often discussed. Especially discussions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal systems and its regulatory challenges were highly thought-provoking. I believe these experiences will provide valuable ideas for advancing discussions on AI’s application in the South Korean judiciary and legal market. Also I believe this valuable time has reignited my intellectual curiosity and challenged me to approach legal issues with a more global perspective.

My time at CALS would not have been as fruitful without the support and encouragement of many individuals. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Jaclyn Neo, Professor Ernest Lim, Professor Lin Lin, as well as to Ms. Kris and Ms. Momoka. Their guidance and support made my experience truly exceptional.

This opportunity has been a pivotal chapter in my professional journey, and I look forward to applying the insights I have gained at NUS to my work in South Korea.