There Are Queer Women in the Legal Profession Too!

Introducing a Community of LGBTQ+ Legal Professionals in Korea

• English Translation: 피웊

• Translation review: -

• Writer of the original text: 권태

• Review and amendments to the original text: Miguel

• Web & SNS Posting: 에스텔

• News Card Design: 가리

Logo of Queer Women's Association of Law in Korea. (Source: Queer Women's Association of Law in Korea’s Twitter)

In December 2025, QWALK (Queer Women's Association of Law in Korea) was officially launched. In Korea, the LGBTI+ Lawyers Conference has been held annually since 2015, and in the same year, Korea Gay Law Association was also established. In this article, we introduce the founding statement of QWALK, which aspires to “always stand alongside the path taken by sexual minorities in Korea.”

Every summer, the LGBTI+ Lawyers Conference is held, where “LGBTQ+ legal professionals, aspiring legal professionals, and legal scholars gather to share their concerns and experiences.” Now in its eighth year as of last year, this event has been jointly organized since 2015 by GongGam Human Rights Law Foundation, Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights (Hope and Law), and Korea Gay Law Association—organizations that have often appeared in the news we share. This conference has continued for over a decade, providing a space to share critical perspectives from each participant’s professional and personal experiences, discuss domestic and international legal trends related to LGBTQ+ rights, and explore ways in which LGBTQ+ legal professionals can contribute through networking.

In December of last year, QWALK held its first general assembly. In an interview, the association’s representative explained that QWALK builds upon the existing activities of queer women already working within the legal field, and that the organization was formed to support individuals who show courage in what is still considered a conservative legal profession, while also amplifying their collective voice.

Below is the founding statement of QWALK. We invite you to join the efforts of QWALK as it strives to “always stand alongside the path taken by sexual minorities in Korea.”

[Founding Statement]

While our society has expanded the scope of human rights protection based on the constitutional values of human dignity and equality, sexual minorities still face various legal and institutional limitations and discrimination. In particular, there remains a lack of sustained and professional legal solidarity capable of deeply understanding and representing the lives and realities of sexual minorities in areas such as legal disputes and institutional reform.

Accordingly, as women sexual minority legal professionals, we aim to connect with one another based on our shared identity and expertise, to share our experiences and knowledge, and to strengthen the power of solidarity. Moving beyond individual efforts, we seek to contribute to building a society in which the fundamental human rights and dignity of sexual minorities are substantively guaranteed under the law through collective response and cooperation.

“Queer Women's Association of Law in Korea (abbreviated as QWALK)” aims to promote exchange and networking among women sexual minority legal professionals, and to carry out practical legal activities that confront discrimination and inequality through research, investigation, and legal support on issues related to sexual minorities. In addition, through legal education, seminars, policy proposals, institutional reform efforts, and solidarity with domestic and international organizations, we strive to expand a legal and institutional environment in which gender equality and diversity are respected.

We aspire to be a community of legal professionals who act to ensure that the law comes closer to socially marginalized groups, and that the right of sexual minorities to live their lives with dignity is not merely declared, but realized in practice. With this shared vision, we establish this association so that those who share these values may come together and continue sustainable activities based on mutual respect and solidarity. From now on, the Korean Women Queer Legal Association will always walk alongside the path taken by sexual minorities in Korea.

December 19, 2025

Founding Members of Queer Women's Association of Law in Korea

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• English Translation: 피웊

• Translation review: -

• Writer of the original text: 권태

• Review and amendments to the original text: Miguel

• Web & SNS Posting: 에스텔

• News Card Design: 가리

References (available in Korean): 한겨레 인터뷰, 여성신문 인터뷰 참고