Law is not only an institution in itself but also serves as an the essential basis upon which political, economic, and social structures and institutions can be constructed and maintained. Law, in this way, is a very important tool for study of instituions. Laws are generally perceived by society as objective and gender-neutral. However, over the years, some scholars have made efforts to analyzing the law from a gender perspective and have been able to demonstrate that laws which were enacted and enforced without considering their impact on women or any input by women are gender-biased and male-oriented. Recognition of gender-bias in the law and legal system had led scholars to engage in scholarship to develop legal theories on specific legal issues and to implement structural changes to achieve gender equality. This new field of scholarship is Feminist Jurisprudence. The lecture by Sun Uk Kim introduces some important examples from Korea, made possible by progress in Feminist jurisprudence, that have caused significant changes in laws and court decisions thereby contributing to social progress and development.

Sun Uk Kim is professor of law at Ewha Womans University, Seoul, and currently visiting professor at the GEAS.