After her retirement ceremony, Park Jeong-hwa headed to Umyeonsan near her home. She felt a lightness in her step, realizing the weight of the judicial robe she had worn for 32 years had finally been lifted.
Three years later, Park Jeong-hwa, now an advisor at Yulchon Law Firm, has resumed her routine of reviewing case files and meeting clients. After joining the firm last month, she expressed her clear intentions for her new role.
"It would be a disservice to my life so far to come in as a Supreme Court Justice and just sit here, merely signing my name," she emphasized.
She also found fulfillment in teaching at her alma mater, Korea University Law School, after her retirement. However, having spent so long in the courtroom, she felt like she was wearing someone else's clothes. While working as a personal lawyer, she felt limited and chose Yulchon for its collaborative environment with various experts.
Currently, she focuses on appeals cases, sharing insights with fellow attorneys and participating directly in consultations. The sight of former judges who now work as lawyers appearing happy also influenced her decision to join the firm.
In this new chapter, she has made a personal commitment to achieve a balance between work and family. During a time when female judges were rare, she felt the pressure to excel in both her career and organizational life, having never taken parental leave. She expressed regret over not being able to spend enough time with her children during their formative years.
"Children don’t wait for anyone. I encourage my junior colleagues to confidently take on challenging roles, even if they are demanding, but to also not lose sight of family life. They should utilize parental leave when necessary," she advised, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and family through focused choices.
Now, her children support her desire to pursue her career. When asked about her goals at Yulchon, she stated, "I want to be recognized for contributing to Yulchon’s advancement."
While discussing her aspirations at the firm, she reiterated her desire to work in a manner consistent with her past. "I hope to approach my work as a lawyer with the same dedication I had as a judge," she said resolutely.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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