Fostering equity and support at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law
Alice Min: The first time I met other law students was at the Indigenous reading circle in August. Elder Constance asked us to share our cultural backgrounds as we introduced ourselves, and to my surprise, the three girls who spoke before me were all Korean! We soon realized that our year was an anomaly with over 20 incoming Korean students. The upper-years were shocked and mentioned that they’ve never seen more than 3-5 Koreans per year at U of T Law.
Many of us don’t have lawyers in our immediate families or circles, so it was incredibly helpful to have the few Korean upper years mentor us, answer questions, and share resources. This year, we hope to do the same and act as a supportive platform for all students, especially the first-year class. A big shout-out to Sang Park (3L) for taking the initiative to gather an executive team and pioneer our new Korean Law Students’ Association (KLSA). As co-presidents, Sean and I envision an association that will help bridge the gap between students and professionals while advocating for an inclusive legal landscape.
Sean Kim: Growing up as a first-generation immigrant, my home life was filled with Korean culture because my parents wanted me to retain a strong sense of my Korean identity. As such, I’ve always been proud to say that I’m Korean. When the South Korean soccer team upset Germany in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, I felt no reservations about driving around Niagara Falls with the Korean flag flying high out of my windows. Being Korean is an integral part of my identity, and it’s something that I want to share, not just with other Koreans but also with the world at large.
This is why the Korean Law Students’ Association is important to me. As someone aspiring to be a lawyer in a profession that has traditionally not been the most diverse, I both value my individuality and understand that I can’t succeed on my own. One of the KLSA’s primary objectives is to provide a supportive platform for the Korean student body to come together and push each other forward on the path to success in the legal profession. Our other objective, to promote diversity and equity in the law school community, will be satisfied by our commitment to proudly sharing our Korean identity with students from all walks of life. So if you see someone with kimbap for lunch, or spot some fanatic with red and blue face paint and a “Go Reds!” jersey in the hallways, you’ll know that’s the KLSA working its magic. I look forward to furthering these two goals with my co-president Alice this year!
KLSA Welcome Event
On September 22, we hosted our first official event to welcome the 1L students. The warm and welcoming atmosphere served as a precursor to the inclusive culture that the KLSA aims to cultivate within the law school. We took this opportunity to introduce our executive team to the new students, notifying them of who we are and what we hope to achieve during this school year. We also announced our 1L Representatives: Jimin Lee (1L), YeYoung Lee (1L), and Rachel Park (1L), who will help plan upcoming events. The vast majority of the Korean student body attended. Our 3Ls, who took the initiative last year to form relationships with us and lay the club’s groundwork, were excited to attend and meet the new 1Ls. We felt great pride as we looked out at the group and had fun as we learned more about each other over food, drinks, and an exciting game of mingle bingo. Thank you to Emma Baliat (2L) and Julia Kim (2L) for planning a great event!
KLSA Alumni Panel
On October 16, we hosted our second event: an alumni panel with Korean lawyers who are currently working in Toronto. The KLSA is dedicated to fostering a culture of mentorship and support, which includes building a strong alumni network of Korean Canadian lawyers.
We had four alumni join us: Clara Ryu (Class of 2019), SuJung Lee (Class of 2019), Jae Won Hur (Class of 2021), and Min Oh (Class of 2022). They shared a snippet of what it is like to work in government, corporate law, and criminal law, all while giving advice to the students. It was insightful to hear them speak about how they personally witnessed and experienced equity, diversity, and inclusion in their workplaces, and refreshing to hear honest stories of what it was like for them when they were in our shoes. Special thanks to Emily Jin (2L) and Erin Lee (2L) for organizing and ordering delicious fried chicken!
Q&A with the KLSA
Q: Are non-Korean students welcome at KLSA events?
A: Of course! One of our objectives is to increase awareness about Korean culture and identity within the legal community, and we wouldn’t be able to do that without opening our events up to all members of the community in the Faculty of Law. We had non-Koreans attend our last alumni panel, and they said it was insightful to hear real answers without any sugarcoating. But please register so that we have enough food for everyone!
Q: What are some new Korean Netflix shows to watch?
A: The Glory (K-drama with two seasons), Devil’s Plan (reality competition show with a small simulation of society), and Love After Divorce (reality show for divorcees)
Q: Where can you find the best Korean food?
A: Apologies to people who live downtown, but the real Koreatown is in North York, not Christie.
● Cho Sun Ok (Yonge & Clark)—must try their cold noodles (hot take: it’s better than the cold noodles in Korea & LA)
● Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu (Yonge & Finch)—delicious and hearty soft tofu stew
