Access to justice, a cornerstone of Sustainable Development Goal 16, is often hindered by barriers that prevent people from understanding and using the law. This publication contributes to global knowledge on people-centred justice by documenting the experience of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Government Legislation (MOLEG). It provides practical insights for policymakers seeking to improve access to justice through institutional reform and digital innovation, framed by the guiding principle of "law as a public good."

The paper presents a detailed overview of MOLEG’s policies and tools, which are organized under four themes: (i) accessibility of laws and legal information, (ii) people-centred laws, (iii) citizen participation, and (iv) administrative efficiency. It showcases key digital innovations, including the comprehensive Korean Law Information Center, the user-friendly Easy-to-Find & Day-to-Day Law Information Center, and an AI-assisted legal search service (LAWBOT). Non-digital reforms, such as the "Easy-to-Understand Legislation Project" and the systemic revision of inconvenient laws, are also highlighted as crucial components.

Drawing from MOLEG's results, challenges, and lessons learned, the publication outlines key considerations and proposes sequenced implementation pathways for other countries. It underscores that expanding access to laws is a fundamental governance reform that strengthens transparency, accountability, and public trust. This experience serves as a practical reference for countries pursuing their own strategies to build more inclusive and sustainable justice systems.