Understanding legal terminology is crucial for anyone navigating the legal landscape in a foreign country. Whether you’re a law student, an expatriate, or someone doing business in South Korea, knowing the most used legal terms in the Korean language can make a significant difference. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to some of the most commonly used legal terms in Korean, along with their meanings and contexts.
The term 법 (beop) is the Korean word for “law.” This is a fundamental term that you will encounter frequently. It is used in various contexts, such as in the names of statutes, legal principles, and even the term “lawyer” (변호사, byeonhosa).
– **법률 (Beomnyul)**: Legislation, statute
– **법원 (Beobwon)**: Court
– **법적 (Beopjeok)**: Legal, lawful
– **법무부 (Beommubu)**: Ministry of Justice
The word 계약 (gyeyak) means “contract” in Korean. Contracts are essential in legal dealings, whether they are business agreements, employment terms, or rental agreements.
– **계약서 (Gyeyakseo)**: Contract document
– **계약 조건 (Gyeyak jogeon)**: Contract terms
– **계약금 (Gyeyakgeum)**: Contract deposit
– **계약 해지 (Gyeyak haeji)**: Contract termination
The term 판결 (pangyeol) refers to a “judgment” or “verdict” delivered by a court. Understanding this term is crucial for anyone involved in legal proceedings.
– **판결문 (Pangyeolmun)**: Written judgment
– **최종 판결 (Choejong pangyeol)**: Final judgment
– **판결을 내리다 (Pangyeoreul naerida)**: To render a judgment
– **판결문서 (Pangyeolmunseo)**: Judgment document
The word 소송 (sosong) means “lawsuit” or “litigation.” This term is used to describe the process of taking a legal dispute to court.
– **소송을 제기하다 (Sosongeul jegihada)**: To file a lawsuit
– **민사 소송 (Minsa sosong)**: Civil lawsuit
– **형사 소송 (Hyeongsa sosong)**: Criminal lawsuit
– **소송 비용 (Sosong biyong)**: Litigation costs
The term 변호사 (byeonhosa) translates to “lawyer” or “attorney.” Lawyers play a crucial role in the legal system, representing clients in various legal matters.
– **변호사를 선임하다 (Byeonhosareul seonimhada)**: To hire a lawyer
– **변호사 비용 (Byeonhosa biyong)**: Lawyer’s fee
– **형사 변호사 (Hyeongsa byeonhosa)**: Criminal defense lawyer
– **민사 변호사 (Minsa byeonhosa)**: Civil lawyer
The word 재판 (jaepan) means “trial” or “court hearing.” This term is central to understanding court proceedings.
– **재판을 받다 (Jaepaneul batda)**: To undergo a trial
– **재판관 (Jaepangwan)**: Judge
– **재판부 (Jaepanbu)**: Panel of judges
– **재판 절차 (Jaepan jeolcha)**: Trial procedure
The term 증거 (jeunggeo) refers to “evidence.” Evidence is crucial in proving or disproving claims in legal proceedings.
– **증거를 제출하다 (Jeungeoreul jechulhada)**: To submit evidence
– **증거물 (Jeungeomul)**: Piece of evidence
– **증거 부족 (Jeungeo bujok)**: Lack of evidence
– **증거 조사 (Jeungeo josa)**: Evidence investigation
The word 합의 (hapui) means “agreement” or “settlement.” This term is often used in the context of reaching a mutual understanding or settlement in a legal dispute.
– **합의를 보다 (Hapuireul boda)**: To reach an agreement
– **합의서 (Hapui-seo)**: Agreement document
– **합의금 (Hapuigeum)**: Settlement money
– **합의 조건 (Hapui jogeon)**: Agreement terms
The term 고소 (goso) means “accusation” or “complaint.” This term is used when someone files a formal complaint against another party.
– **고소를 제기하다 (Gosoreul jegihada)**: To file an accusation
– **형사 고소 (Hyeongsa goso)**: Criminal accusation
– **민사 고소 (Minsa goso)**: Civil accusation
– **고소인 (Gosoin)**: Accuser
The word 피고 (pigo) means “defendant.” This term is used to refer to the person or party against whom a lawsuit is filed.
– **피고인 (Pigo-in)**: Defendant in a criminal case
– **피고측 (Pigocheok)**: The defendant’s side
– **피고를 변호하다 (Pigoreul byeonhohada)**: To defend the defendant
– **피고의 권리 (Pigo-ui gwonri)**: Defendant’s rights
The term 원고 (wongo) means “plaintiff.” This term is used to refer to the person or party who initiates a lawsuit.
– **원고를 제기하다 (Wongoreul jegihada)**: To file a lawsuit as a plaintiff
– **원고측 (Wongocheok)**: The plaintiff’s side
– **원고의 주장 (Wongo-ui jujang)**: Plaintiff’s claim
– **원고의 권리 (Wongo-ui gwonri)**: Plaintiff’s rights
The word 벌금 (beolgeum) means “fine.” Fines are monetary penalties imposed for various offenses.
– **벌금을 부과하다 (Beolgeumeul bugwahada)**: To impose a fine
– **벌금형 (Beolgeumhyeong)**: Sentence of a fine
– **벌금 납부 (Beolgeum nabbu)**: Payment of a fine
– **벌금 처벌 (Beolgeum cheobeol)**: Punishment by fine
The term 감옥 (gamok) translates to “prison” or “jail.” Understanding this term is essential for comprehending criminal justice topics.
– **감옥에 가다 (Gamoge gada)**: To go to prison
– **감옥 생활 (Gamok saenghwal)**: Prison life
– **감옥에서 나오다 (Gamokeseo naoda)**: To be released from prison
– **감옥 수감 (Gamok sugam)**: Imprisonment
The word 증인 (jeungin) means “witness.” Witnesses play a crucial role in legal proceedings by providing testimony.
– **증인을 부르다 (Jeungineul bureuda)**: To call a witness
– **증인 증언 (Jeungin jeung-eon)**: Witness testimony
– **증인 보호 (Jeungin boho)**: Witness protection
– **증인석 (Jeunginseok)**: Witness stand
The term 법정 (beopjeong) means “courtroom.” This is the place where legal proceedings take place.
– **법정에 서다 (Beopjeonge seoda)**: To stand in court
– **법정 모독 (Beopjeong modok)**: Contempt of court
– **법정 다툼 (Beopjeong datum)**: Courtroom battle
– **법정 심리 (Beopjeong simni)**: Court hearing
The word 검찰 (geomchal) refers to the “prosecution.” This term is used to describe the legal party responsible for presenting the case against the defendant in a criminal trial.
– **검찰관 (Geomchalgwan)**: Prosecutor
– **검찰 기소 (Geomchal giso)**: Prosecution indictment
– **검찰 수사 (Geomchal susa)**: Prosecution investigation
– **검찰청 (Geomchalcheong)**: Prosecutor’s office
The term 판사 (pansa) means “judge.” Judges are responsible for overseeing legal proceedings and delivering judgments.
– **판사님 (Pansanim)**: Honorific term for judge
– **판사의 판결 (Pansa-ui pangyeol)**: Judge’s ruling
– **판사 직무 (Pansa jikmu)**: Judge’s duties
– **판사 임명 (Pansa immyeong)**: Judge’s appointment
The word 배심원 (baesimwon) means “jury.” Juries are groups of citizens tasked with determining the outcome of certain trials.
– **배심원단 (Baesimwondan)**: Jury panel
– **배심원 선출 (Baesimwon seonchul)**: Jury selection
– **배심원 평결 (Baesimwon pyeonggyeol)**: Jury verdict
– **배심원 의무 (Baesimwon uimu)**: Jury duty
The term 피의자 (pi-euija) means “suspect.” This term is used to refer to someone who is under investigation for a crime.
– **피의자 신문 (Pi-euija sinmun)**: Suspect questioning
– **피의자 구속 (Pi-euija gusok)**: Suspect detention
– **피의자 권리 (Pi-euija gwonri)**: Suspect’s rights
– **피의자 조사 (Pi-euija josa)**: Suspect investigation
The word 무죄 (mujwe) means “innocent” or “not guilty.” This term is used to describe a verdict that absolves the defendant of charges.
– **무죄 판결 (Mujwe pangyeol)**: Not guilty verdict
– **무죄를 선고하다 (Mujwereul seongohada)**: To pronounce someone innocent
– **무죄 입증 (Mujwe ipjeung)**: Proof of innocence
– **무죄 항변 (Mujwe hangbyeon)**: Plea of innocence
Navigating the legal landscape in South Korea can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the language. However, understanding these essential legal terms can significantly ease the process. Whether you’re reading legal documents, discussing matters with a lawyer, or participating in court proceedings, these terms will help you better understand the context and specifics of legal discussions. Legal terminology is a crucial aspect of mastering any language, and with these terms at your disposal, you’ll be better equipped to handle legal situations in Korea.
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