Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: International Law Society Conference
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49.
“This week, the International Law Society is holding its annual conference. Why don't you attend the academic session alone on the final day? What do you say?”
“Are you telling me to get some research consultation?”
“Well, we barely got your name on the list using this research as an excuse. The 'Korea University Law Center' already selected their student attendees for the annual conference, so you weren't qualified to begin with. I pulled some strings.”
“Thank you.”
“Don't say that in front of others. I'm sending you strictly for work purposes.”
He meant that although Kang Hyun's name was added for research consultation purposes, that wasn't the real reason.
Kang Hyun focused even more intently on Kim Jong-hwan's words, which were still somewhat ambiguous.
“There will be discussions on new technologies, international private law fields, and arbitration cases related to domestic and international situations. You'll hear the latest debates you won't find in monographs or academic journals. But there are people who truly 'get' the essence of this event.”
“What do you mean?”
“Figure it out yourself. Make sure you become one of those who truly 'get' it. Go on.”
Kim Jong-hwan waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly, without even waiting for Kang Hyun's response.
Clunk.
After closing the door and stepping out, Kang Hyun sank into thought.
“...”
It was clear that Kim Jong-hwan had some deeper 'intention' or 'true meaning' beyond his surface words.
Considering the dean's position—where he took great interest in Kang Hyun's activities but couldn't assist directly—something suddenly hit Kang Hyun amid his racing thoughts.
“No way... this conference?”
The Bismuth International Moot Court Competition and its preliminary, the Korea University Moot Court Competition. Large promotional posters for both events hung on the wall.
Beneath them, the logo of the sponsor, the International Law Society 'KSIL (Korea Society of International Law)', caught his eye.
In other words, if the International Law Society holding this academic conference as its annual meeting was also the organizer of those two moot court competitions?
'To catch a tiger, you must enter its den.'
Attending the latest academic conference.
It would be far more efficient than floundering through mountains of papers.
A hint. A hint for preparing for the competition.
Kim Jong-hwan had given Kang Hyun this hint and even added his name to the attendee list despite his lack of qualifications.
Having been quite satisfied with the recent Yi Mi-yeon and Professor Yu Dong-hee incident, this seemed like yet another reward for Kang Hyun's efforts.
But with the finals looming, other teams were consumed with oral argument practice.
This might turn out to be a major turning point for him.
His steps quickened with resolve as he moved to meet Woo Si-hyung, to whom he relayed everything that had happened with Professor Kim Jong-hwan. Woo Si-hyung shared his thoughts.
“Was the dean the type to help out so meticulously? Anyway, that's huge!”
Having heard the story, Woo Si-hyung seemed to think Kim Jong-hwan's assistance was impressive.
He had also heard about the International Law Society's annual conference.
“But the event is already in its final stretch, right? You okay with that? You haven't prepared at all... Time's tight, isn't it?”
Woo Si-hyung hesitated slightly, his face etched with concern.
“I'll just prepare the essentials, pick the main international law sessions, and attend those.”
“Easier said than done.”
But Kang Hyun wore a calm expression, as if it were no big deal.
Watching that expression from the side, Woo Si-hyung shook his head ever so slightly. It meant he knew he couldn't stop him.
“Who am I to try and talk you out of it? Just let me know if you need any help.”
“Thanks.”
From that day on, Kang Hyun threw himself into preparations for the academic conference whenever he had a spare moment.
The event was on Friday. With only four days left, it was an absurdly short time for an ordinary person.
Amid classes, competition prep, errands for Professor Kim Jong-hwan's research, and looming exams, Kang Hyun moved in a state of utter frenzy.
The International Law Society's academic conference spanned not just international law but the pinnacle gathering of authorities across various legal fields.
Even asking a question required a baseline level of conversational competence, and their annual conference was notoriously grueling—even accomplished majors were said to leave in tears.
Yet Kang Hyun showed no concern for its infamous difficulty. In fact, he seemed more relaxed preparing for the conference than for his other schedules.
It was like casual internet surfing: jotting down recent conference news, skimming a few papers—that was it.
“He's gonna come back after bombing it, isn't he?”
“No way! Kang Hyun hyung would never!”
Even as Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim whispered among themselves, Kang Hyun continued his solitary battle with unflappable composure.
And so, the morning of the event dawned.
Six a.m.
He took a taxi to the bus terminal and caught the first bus.
The venue was the Graton City Hotel in Incheon.
A popular spot for international events, a place anyone would recognize by name.
By car, it was just over an hour away, but the intercity bus, including transfers, took more than two hours.
The bus sped along wide-open roads.
The chilly early morning outside had given way to clear skies and warm sunlight, full of vitality. Being near Yeongjong Island, it even felt like the sea breeze was carrying in.
No, it wasn't just a feeling. He could actually smell the ocean air, and Kang Hyun took a deep breath.
“Hoo... Nice.”
Was this what a change of pace felt like? Always suffocating under time constraints, Kang Hyun felt his chest open up.
'Once I have some breathing room, I want to come back for a trip.'
The thought of travel brought Yoon Haneul to mind, and he smiled as he pulled out his phone to reread their recent texts.
-Heading out.
-Okay. Have a safe trip.
Simple words.
But Kang Hyun turned his gaze to the window, a faint, lingering smile on his lips.
To save time, he took a taxi from the terminal. As it raced down the highway, vast open scenery poured into view.
The large buildings lining the beach seemed to form their own new city.
Each one evoked somewhere in the Mediterranean.
'Graton City Hotel.'
“Wow...”
The massive hotel before him wasn't just a building.
Nestled between warm sunlight and sea breezes, people in suits bustled about their business.
A stylish couple caught his eye—a woman in pretty clothes and straw hat, a man with perfectly coiffed hair.
A beautiful haven of leisure, yet also the site of a grand event.
In its upper hall, a festival of legal luminaries was unfolding.
The final day of the International Law Society's annual conference—and Kang Hyun had arrived brimming with confidence.
Kang Hyun arrived just before eleven. Realizing he was later than expected, he scanned the surroundings.
Students, lawyers, staff from various domestic and international organizations, diplomats, and more.
The venue buzzed with diverse experts and eager seekers of advice, the heat so intense it was suffocating.
After a long line, he finally reached the information desk, where a staff member greeted him with a polished smile.
“Hello. Sorry for the wait. Have you registered already? Please tell me your affiliation, and I'll guide you.”
“I'm a general attendee. I registered for the workshop under Korea University.”
“You mean the mentoring session?”
“No. Junior level workshop.”
“Ah, this way, please?”
Academic conferences typically offered three tiers for interacting with legal scholars.
'Mentoring' was for aspiring young students in law or general attendees seeking career info.
'Junior level' drew above-average participants, mostly standout undergrads—a perfect fit for Kang Hyun to gather intel.
That said, it was no cakewalk.
At junior level, attendees might be PhD candidates querying thesis topics, or lawyers, prosecutors, and judges seeking the latest trends.
Occasionally, cocky undergrads tried it unprepared, only to waste time hitting the skill wall without exchanging more than a few words.
In short, territory inaccessible to most.
Most moot court topics and materials fell a notch below junior level issues.
Yet there was one tier above: the elite 'senior level' workshop for top experts.
Kang Hyun had tried digging for info, but aside from it being the 'highest caliber,' details were scarce.
“This way.”
Following the guide up a floor led to a massive hall fit for grand banquets.
'International Law Society venue. Finally here.'
At the center of the navy-draped hall, an electronic screen flashed the taegeuk symbol for host nation Korea and the 'Korea Society of International Law (KSIL)' logo.
Experts of all stripes filled the tables, preparing consultations or engaging in fervent Q&A. Crowds gathered around conversing groups, listening or reporting.
A golden opportunity, naturally—but most seemed underprepared or intimidated by the skill gap to even approach.
In other words, amid the throng, Kang Hyun faced the tough mission of securing maximum intel through expert dialogues.
One misstep, and it could mean embarrassment.
“Today's part three features simultaneous sessions. You can query up to three fields max, so choose wisely.”
“Thank you.”
The final day of the event.
As expected, the workshop consisted of session-based Q&A.
With a light bow, the guide departed. Kang Hyun took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts.
'Rather than political topics like overseas deployments or nuclear talks, sessions on peremptory norms or general international law seem better.'
His goal was straightforward.
In the time remaining, stake out the hottest session for cutting-edge issues and absorb info.
Simple, but far from easy.
“...jurisdictional issues arising in arbitration processes are particularly prevalent in international investment law...”
“Whether the ICJ rules define party capacity for other states is unclear at that juncture...”
'The level's pretty high.'
From the responses drifting over, the experts tailored nothing to the questioners' levels.
They even screened people subtly.
Dropping sparse hints to probe core grasp, then coldly dismissing if inadequate—all while appearing earnestly explanatory.
To Kang Hyun, it felt anything but sincere.
He could see right through their contempt for lesser intellects.
At any rate, after scouting, the core seemed to be the 'general international law' session, covering international law broadly.
Decision made, he headed there—when he overheard two people sighing heavily and muttering.