Research Report
Ⅰ. Background and Purpose of Study
▶ Background of Study ○ Due to the transition to national approved statistics, the study on public opinion of current issues was not included in 「A Survey of the Legal Consciousness of the Korean People in 2019」 conducted by the Korea Legislation Research Institute (KLRI). Therefore, a study was designed to investigate public opinion on issues during the period from January 2018 to July 2019.
▶ Purpose of Study ○ The purpose of this study is to investigate public opinion on legal issues subject to social interest in Korea at the time of the study, which, being matters subject to variations, may not be directly included in the “Survey on the Actual Condition of the Legal Consciousness of the Korean People” which will be conducted on an ongoing basis as a national approved statistic.
II. Major Study Results
▶ Need for legal reinforcement of the Protection of Public Interest Reporters Act ○ A majority of the respondents of the study supported the need for legal reinforcement of the Protection of Public Interest Reporters Act (90.7%).
Abstract
▶ Need for legal and systematic improvements to law school ○ The need for improving the law school system was not as high as the need for revising other laws which were the subject of this study (59.5%). ○ As to improving the law school system, ‘reinforcing lawyer examination standards’ showed the highest response with 63.8%, followed by ‘developing practical work skills’ (60.0%), ‘strengthening the level of education’ (54.7%), and ‘strengthening law school admission standards’ (54.5%). This study shows that there are expectations to reinforce standards for lawyers and law school admissions in the direction of improving practical skills.
▶ Adequacy of strengthening the punishment level of the Yoon Chang-ho Act ○ 68.2% of the respondents agreed to increasing the punishment level of the Yoon Changho Act, with relatively high response amongst Gwangju/Jeolla/Jeju residents (77.3%).
▶ Need for revising the three kindergarten laws ○ The need for revising the three kindergarten laws was shown to be high (85.5%). This need appears to be high in respondents who are in their 30’s (88.0%) and 40’s (89.2%), those residing in Gwangju/Jeolla/Jeju (94.3%), and those with higher education levels (middle school graduates and lower: 80.4%, high school graduates: 84.6%, college graduates and higher: 87.6%).
▶ Need for reinforcing consumer protection law against defective products ○ A majority of the respondents agreed to reinforcing the law to protect consumers from defective products (91.6%). This need appears to be high in respondents with higher education levels (middle school graduates and lower: 87.0%, high school graduates: 91.2%, college graduates and higher: 93.0%), and those residing in Gwangju/Jeolla/Jeju (96.6%).
▶ Need for preparing grounds for punishment of fake news ○ A high level of awareness for the need to prepare grounds for punishing fake news was shown (89.3%). The result was similarly high regardless of gender, age, and educational level.
▶ Need for enacting an anti-discrimination law ○ Reponses were high in agreement to the need for enacting an anti-discrimination law (83.5%). The result was similarly high regardless of gender, age, and educational level.
▶ Need for enacting a law for an independent organization to investigate high-ranking government officials ○ 81.4% of the respondents agreed to the need for enacting a law for an independent organization to investigate high-ranking government officials.
III. Expected Effects
○ By investigating public opinion on legal issues, the study can be used as a base of reference for legislation and execution of laws related to the issues.