Seoul's Ministry of Government Legislation to hold 9th ALES

Government Legislation Minister Lee Kang-seop speaks during the 8th Asian Legislative Experts Symposium at Millennium Hilton Seoul in Jung District, central Seoul, on Nov. 25, 2020. [MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION]

The Ministry of Government Legislation will hold the 9th Asian Legislative Experts Symposium (ALES) online and offline in Seoul on Oct. 27.

Under the theme of “Legislative Administration of Each Asian Country and Cooperation Measures,” the symposium aims to share the administrative status and policy directions of Korea and Asia's legislative development, and also discuss each country’s interests and cooperative measures in legislative exchanges and cooperation.

“Lately, Asian countries have shown a great interest in our legislative system and the Government Legislation Ministry which have underpinned the growth of Korea,” the ministry said.

“It is also important to understand the legal system of the target country for the government’s New Southern and New Northern policies,” it noted.

In this year’s symposium, the ministry will promote the best practices of Korea’s legislation, such as the Administrative Law and legal information system, enhance mutual understanding between countries and discover specific fields of legislative exchanges and cooperative projects.

Ko Hak-soo, professor at Seoul National University School of Law, will give the keynote speech.

Le Thanh Long, the justice minister of Vietnam, will deliver a congratulatory speech at the event.

Divided into two sessions, the forum will first examine the present and future of legislative administration in Korea and other Asian countries.

Kang Hyun-cheol, vice president of the Korea Legislation Research Institute, will moderate the first session. Officials from the Government Legislation Ministry will talk about Korea’s legislative administration and exemplary cases, followed by officials from the governments of Indonesia and Vietnam who will each share successful legislation cases. A discussion will follow.

The following session will delve into more in-depth cooperation measures for the development of Asian countries’ legislative administration.

Lee Kuk-woon, a professor at Handong University, will lead the discussion. A senior research fellow from Korea Legislation Research Institute will make a presentation, followed by legal experts of Cambodia and Thailand each presenting their cooperation demands. Following the presentations, another discussion will be held.

The ministry has been hosting the ALES annually since 2013 to discuss ways to improve each country’s legislative system with government officials and experts from various Asian countries.

A large number of countries have requested information on Korea’s legislative know-hows and cooperation, which has led the nation to become a leading country in legislative systems in Asia, the Government Legislation Ministry said.

As the host of the symposium, Korea has continued legislative exchanges and cooperation with various countries including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The subject of the symposium is selected in consideration of the common interests of the participating countries, ranging from urban development and transportation systems to safety management, public participation and communication.

Last year’s theme — Legislations on Infectious Diseases and Cooperative Measures of Asia Countries in the Post Covid-19 Era — was chosen as many countries were interested in Korea's legislative system that supported the nation's successful response to Covid-19.

Like last year, the 9th ALES will be held with a limited in-person attendance due to social distancing guidelines. Those who wish to watch it can stream it live via the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Government Legislation.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]