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Legislative cooperation for the future of Asia

Published: 28 Oct. 2024, 19:07

Lee Wan-kyu
The author is Minister of Government Legislation.

“If you do not think about the future, you cannot have one,” said John Galsworthy (1867~1933), an English lawyer and novelist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1932. As rapid social changes caused by the fourth industrial revolution, low birthrates and climate change occur, we are deeply contemplating what we should do for future generations.

The Ministry of Government Legislation (Moleg), a central government agency in charge of overseeing and coordinating government legislation, is taking the lead in creating laws and systems to respond to future challenges. Moleg established the “Office for Future Legislation Innovation” this January to study potential legal issues and alternatives in five areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), low birthrates and aerospace. Additionally, we developed an “AI law search Service” utilizing AI technology to provide more convenient services to the public. We are also exploring ways to promote the development of a “legal tech industry,” a private legal service that incorporates AI.

Meanwhile, future changes throughout the world require cooperation among countries. This is especially true in the case of changes occurring at the regional level, where people with similar sociocultural backgrounds will experience similar changes. Earlier this year, the European Union (EU) enacted the “European Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act)” to address the risks posed by the emerging technology.

In response, our ministry is making efforts to cooperate with Asian legislative experts to prepare for the future challenges. From April to August, meetings were held with legislative organizations of Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia and Indonesia. We suggested the establishment of the “Council of Asian Legislative Institutions (CALI)” at the meetings and they expressed their support and agreement.

“CALI” will serve as a pivotal venue for legislative exchange and cooperation in the Asian region. CALI aims to find solutions to common challenges Asia is facing and contribute to Asia’s development through joint research on future legal issues, sharing legal information, dissemination of legal information services and sharing best practices in legislative administration. We are planning to establish the council by the end of next year and will launch a preparatory committee on Nov. 1 this year.

On the same day, the 12th “Asian Legislative Experts Symposium (ALES)” will also be held under the theme of “Law Encounters AI: Cooperation Measures for Advancing Legal Tech in Asia.” Policymakers, researchers and entrepreneurs from various Asian countries will gather together to share the current status and best practices of their respective legal tech industries and discuss the desirable direction for legislation regulating and supporting the industry. In addition, they will seek to explore cooperative measures for the growth of the legal tech industry. I believe that these discussions will pave the way for developing the industry, enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of legal services and strengthening the rule of law in Asia.

In Vietnam, there is a proverb that says, “One tree cannot make a mountain, but three trees rooted close together can form a tall mountain.” It’s not easy for a single country to predict future changes and make appropriate laws and systems, but the cooperation of many countries can build a legal foundation that allows future generations to grow steadily. I hope that ALES and CALI will play a vital role in ensuring mutual prosperity for future generations of Asia.