Cheong Wa Dae denies report on reviving open-to-all bar exam

▲ Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung (L) is seen taking questions from the press in this file photo taken Feb. 2, 2026, at the presidential office in Seoul. (Yonhap)

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Cheong Wa Dae denies report on reviving open-to-all bar exam

SEOUL, March 11 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office denied a news report Wednesday that the government is reviewing a plan to partially revive the open-to-all state-run bar exam, abolished in 2017, to license lawyers outside the law school system.

Kang Yu-jung, a presidential spokesperson, made the remarks in a press notice after a local newspaper reported that the government is reviewing a plan to reinstate the bar exam to select 50 to 150 lawyers each year outside the law school system. The report said the plan will be reported to President Lee Jae Myung after a final assessment.

Currently, the bar exam is limited to those who have studied law for three years at law schools. The previous one, which allowed non-law majors to take the exam, was abolished in 2017 with the introduction of law schools.

The new system was intended to nurture judicial professionals from various backgrounds, but it has faced criticism that only those from wealthy families can afford law school.

President Lee said in a town hall meeting in June that he "agrees to some extent" with the criticism that the law school system is favorable to the affluent class, who can afford expensive tuition.

He said it may be difficult to revoke the current system entirely, but requested officials to review measures to provide opportunities for those who do not go to law school.

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