A Pioneer of Korean-English Labor Law Content
[Interview] Bongsoo Jung, Certified Labor Attorney at KangNam Labor Law Firm
By Kim Mi-Young, Staff Reporter | Published July 23, 2025, 15:58

For both Korean employees working at foreign companies and foreign business owners operating in Korea, the barriers of language, labor relations, and culture remain high. Certified labor attorney Bongsoo Jung works to bridge this gap. Acting as a “translator” between English and Korean, between labor law and corporate culture, and between labor and management, he is based in the heart of Gangnam refining and translating the "language of labor law."

On July 16, we met Labor Attorney Jung at KangNam Labor Law Firm in Daechi-dong, Seoul. Jung, who presents himself as the go-to expert for labor issues in foreign-invested companies, is also the author of 15 bilingual Korean-English labor law practice guides.

Why English Proficiency Matters for a Labor Attorney
After passing the national labor attorney exam in 2003 (12th class), Jung entered the field and, in 2005, published a book titled Labor Law Bible. It was a practical guide to Korean labor law written in both English and Korean. He recently released its 7th edition.

“Korean labor law and HR culture are very different from those in the U.S., Europe, or Japan. But foreign-invested companies in Korea must comply with local laws while honoring their headquarters’ policies. My job is to bridge that gap.”

In labor relations, in addition to laws, collective agreements, and regulations, customs and practices also matter. Cultural and emotional nuances often get lost in translation. As in all human relationships, communication breakdown in labor relations can lead to misunderstandings, mistrust, and conflict. Jung notes:

“If we say language accounts for 50% of the barrier between foreign employers and Korean employees, then culture makes up another 30%.”

That's why Jung is relentless about improving his English. Having once served at a U.S. military base, he has studied at an English academy every morning for 17 years, even after becoming a labor attorney.

Solving Mistrust in Labor Relations: The Key Is Understanding
The most frequent issue Jung encounters when handling labor matters for foreign-invested companies is misunderstanding. But it’s not just about translation—it’s about clashes in cultural thinking and expectations.

“For example, Korean labor law is largely mandatory, while Anglo-American law systems are more contract-based and emphasize the principle of good faith. That makes terminations and employment management quite different.
Also, in Korea, even outside of official work hours, it’s difficult to say ‘no’ to a superior’s request. In Western cultures, personal time is more protected. If companies create manuals without understanding these cultural differences, they simply won’t work in the field.”

KangNam Labor Law Firm has developed a mobile app offering a massive collection of bilingual Korean-English labor law content. Developed since 2012, the app includes over 400 document templates, 1,700 videos, 15 practice guides, and 19 automated calculators (for annual leave, wage ledgers, social insurance, etc.). They are currently translating 8,500 administrative interpretations from the Ministry of Employment and Labor into English. Jung says the app now has around 1,200 daily users.

He emphasizes that localizing corporate policies and rules is the most important part of advising foreign companies—not just translating text, but restructuring content within the context of Korean labor law to promote mutual understanding and trust.

Steady Writing, Creating a New Market
Labor Attorney Jung has been pioneering the field of foreign-invested company advisory services since long before the title “specialist in foreign companies” was common. His secret weapon? Books. He has published 15 labor law practice guides so far. Which one is the best-seller?

He points to Guide to Hiring Foreigners and Visa Practices, which gained huge popularity by explaining Korea’s point-based visa system—especially for international students applying for job-seeking, working, or long-term stay visas. With over 2.7 million foreigners residing in Korea, it struck a nerve.

Jung stresses that his 15 books weren’t written overnight. He has written one column every month for nearly 20 years—a total of 236 columns, which became the foundation of his books. He tells junior labor attorneys who seek his advice on publishing:

“Start by writing a regular column.”

“I’m not jumping into an existing market,” he adds, “I’m creating a new one with my own content.”

Reported by Kim Mi-Young (ming2@labortoday.co.kr)

https://www.labortoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=229269