Handong International Law School (HILS) at Handong Global University has achieved a historic milestone on the international stage, securing Korea’s first-ever championship at the 24th Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Competition (Asia-Pacific Region), held in Hong Kong from March 11 to 14, 2026.

Since the competition’s inception in 2003, no Korean team had ever claimed the top prize in this prestigious tournament, making this victory a landmark achievement not only for Handong but also for international legal education in Korea.

■ A Premier International Competition in Humanitarian Law

Organized jointly by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and national Red Cross societies, the Red Cross IHL Moot Competition is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative international humanitarian law competitions in the Asia-Pacific region.

The competition simulates proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC), where participating teams act as counsel in complex armed-conflict scenarios. Students analyze contemporary legal issues arising from warfare—including the protection of civilians, the legal status of combatants, and accountability for war crimes—by applying treaties (such as the Geneva Conventions), customary international law, and principles of international criminal responsibility.

Written memorials and oral pleadings are conducted entirely in English and evaluated by panels of international legal experts, closely replicating real-world international litigation.

The 2026 moot problem addressed harrowing contemporary challenges, including the forced conscription, the use of tactical nuclear weapons, and the use of starvation as a method of warfare.

■ Excellence in Advocacy on the International Stage

The HILS team consisted of second-year J.D. candidates Minchan Jeon, Donghyun Lee, and Sung-hun Ryu.

After qualifying through victory at the Korean National IHL Moot Competition, the team advanced to the Asia-Pacific rounds, where they defeated leading law schools from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Australia before advancing to the final round.

In the championship round, Handong defeated the Japanese national representative team to claim the title. Donghyun Lee was further honored with the Best Mooter Award, recognizing him as the top oral advocate among all participants.

■ Practitioner-Scholar Coaching and Leadership

The team was coached by Professor Jeong Woo (Jimmy) Kim of HILS, an international humanitarian law scholar whose career bridges military legal practice and academia.

Prior to entering academia, Professor Kim served as a legal advisor in the United States Army, advising commanders on administrative investigations, regulatory compliance, fiscal law, government ethics, and the Law of Armed Conflict. He earned his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Law at the National University of Singapore, where his research focused on combatant privilege in armed conflict.

Reflecting on the victory, Professor Kim stated:

“First, I give thanks to God for allowing this unprecedented achievement. This accomplishment is a precious gift shared by the team and the entire graduate school community who persevered together. It would not have been possible without each team member’s unwavering dedication, courage in stepping forward at critical moments, and selfless teamwork.”

The success, he noted, stemmed from a culture of resilience and teamwork. He highlighted the vital role of IHL mooting alumni and senior students, such as Yeram Jeon (third-year J.D. candidate), who volunteered their time to mentor and train the team members.

Dean Professor Hee Eun Lee emphasized the broader educational significance of the victory:

“This achievement demonstrates the strength of our students’ global legal competence and the value of experiential legal education. We are proud to see our students engaging with complex humanitarian law issues at the highest international level and representing Korea with excellence.”

■ A Model of Global Legal Education

HILS offers an English-based, U.S.-style J.D. program emphasizing experiential legal education. Students undergo intensive training in legal writing, advocacy, and simulated international proceedings modeled on real tribunal practice, supported by a strong peer-mentorship culture.

The school has produced hundreds of internationally licensed lawyers working in global law firms, international organizations, academia, and public-interest institutions.

This historic championship underscores HILS’s educational philosophy of cultivating globally competent legal professionals capable of addressing complex international disputes—from armed conflict to transnational commercial matters.

As HILS continues expanding its global engagement and partnerships, this achievement further solidifies its emergence as a leading hub for international legal education in Asia.

[Photo 1] Professor Jeong Woo Kim of HILS, Sung Hun Ryu (2L), Dong Hyun Lee (2L), and Dr James Ding, JP, Law Officer (International Law), International Law Division, Department of Justice, HKSAR Government (From Left to Right)

[Photo 2] Dong Hyun Lee (2L, The Best Mooter of the Competition), and the Hon Madam Justice Carlye Chu, Vice President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, HKSAR Government Presiding judge of Final Round (From Left)