A guardian of underprivileged

The word "Gong-gam," meaning sympathy in Korean, is a term often found in the names of organizations, but the public interest lawyers` group "Gong-gam" is still unique in Korean society.

Gong-gam, which is celebrating its fifth foundation anniversary today, is the country`s only non-governmental organization with full-time lawyers who work in protecting the rights of minorities and underprivileged.

The group started in 2004 as an offshoot of the charitable organization Beautiful Foundation. In the beginning it had four novice lawyers devoted to supporting social minorities.



Now, it`s a representative group of skilled experts in the area of public interest law.

Recently, it won a case in which citizens requested a district leader return illicitly used money. It`s the first resident litigation case to be won since the system was introduced in 2006.

"We have been and always will be a body acting in behalf of the social weak," said Kim Young-soo, one of the four founding members.

Assisting the self-government for local residents and helping the social minorities have been Gong-gam`s prime interests from the very beginning, he said.

For this, they also cooperate with related social communities in order to get in contact with the actual people who may need their help.

"At first, we spread out announcements to civic groups and often dispatched ourselves to where we were most needed," said Kim. "We took part in every legal process the civic society may require - legal counsel, litigation, local legislation and so on."

Now, a firmly intertwining network exists between Gong-gam and local civic groups.

"Very often, the civic groups or even individuals come to contact us, asking for assistance in their litigation against the government," said Kim.

When asked about their difference from large civic groups such as the Lawyers for a Democratic Society and the People`s solidarity for Participatory Democracy, the Gong-gam lawyers pick their direct contact with the people.

"Those major groups offer general guidelines to a democratic society, and speak out for the people," said Kim. "We have our own role of listening to and representing smaller voices of the people."

The groups sometimes collaborate in a civic litigation case, he said.

Gong-gam, a 100 percent nonprofit organization, is mostly dependent on donations and is therefore not as financially secure as most of other law firms. Its lawyers, however, do not wish to be pictured as suffering heroes.

"Working in Gong-gam is not the self-sacrifice many people may think," said Kim. "It is just a choice we made in our lives as lawyers."

The way that new members are recruited also shows that working in Gong-gam is about personal passion and enthusiasm, and not self-sacrificing dedication.

"Many people apply, but we can hardly afford to hire a sufficient number, mainly due to our unstable financial status," said Kim. "Those who have made their way into Gong-gam have always had the right energy to make it happen."

Hwang Pill-kyu, a younger member, first came to the Gong-gam office during his judicial training. Afterwards, he continuously joined them in various seminars and litigations. He then brought his own desk into a fully packed office, claiming his place as a member.

"We do not really ask or force anybody to work with us, under the realistic restrictions, but these people come find us with a vision," said Kim.

However, though Gong-gam is presently supported by hearty donations and enthusiastic participation by people, the members hope that a systematic support will become available in the near future.

"We have set as our role models the U.S. public lawyers` group in the beginning, but the Korean society is still very different from the U.S. one in terms of social support," said Kim.

As Gong-gam faces limits in terms of finances and social influence, they also find their intermediary role in connecting the minority groups to major social powers, such as large law firms.

"We have linked major law firms such as Hwang Mok Park or Kim and Jang to various civic groups, in many litigations," said Kim. "Often, these law firms wish to contribute to public welfare but do not know how to reach out to those who may need their help."

Though the Korean society and government may not immediately change to actively support the public interest law groups, the Gong-gam lawyers are excited by the increasing number of personal donators.

"The 700 or so personal donators indicate such number of people who really believe in what we do and support us heartily," said Kim. "That, at least, is a change we brought into the people`s heart and in this society."

For more information, visit http://www.kpil.org or email gonggam@gmail.com

By Bae Hyun-jung



(tellme@heraldm.com)