Understanding complex legal concepts like state immunity in another language requires precise terminology. This guide introduces the Korean term for state immunity, “국가면제” (guk-ga-myeon-je), along with related vocabulary and phrases essential for discussing international law and legal jurisdiction in Korean. You’ll learn key expressions and gain cultural insights relevant to legal contexts in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term
- Expression: 국가면제
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je
Meaning: State immunity / Sovereign immunity (Literally: nation/state + exemption/immunity)
Related Legal Terminology
This section covers essential vocabulary related to state immunity and international law.
- Expression: 주권
Pronunciation: ju-gwon
Meaning: Sovereignty - Expression: 국제법
Pronunciation: guk-je-beop
Meaning: International law - Expression: 소송
Pronunciation: so-song
Meaning: Lawsuit, litigation - Expression: 재판관할권
Pronunciation: jae-pan-gwan-hal-gwon
Meaning: Jurisdiction (judicial) - Expression: 외교관 면책특권
Pronunciation: oe-gyo-gwan myeon-chaek-teuk-gwon
Meaning: Diplomatic immunity - Expression: 국제 관계
Pronunciation: guk-je gwan-gye
Meaning: International relations - Expression: 조약
Pronunciation: jo-yak
Meaning: Treaty - Expression: 협정
Pronunciation: hyeop-jeong
Meaning: Agreement, pact - Expression: 국제 사법 재판소
Pronunciation: guk-je sa-beop jae-pan-so
Meaning: International Court of Justice (ICJ) - Expression: 법적 책임
Pronunciation: beop-jeok chaek-im
Meaning: Legal responsibility/liability - Expression: 원고
Pronunciation: won-go
Meaning: Plaintiff - Expression: 피고
Pronunciation: pi-go
Meaning: Defendant
Using “State Immunity” in Sentences
Here are examples of how “국가면제” is used in various contexts.
- Expression: 국가면제는 국제법의 중요한 원칙입니다.
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je-neun guk-je-beo-bui jung-yo-han won-chi-gim-ni-da.
Meaning: State immunity is an important principle of international law. - Expression: 해당 국가는 국가면제를 주장했습니다.
Pronunciation: hae-dang guk-ga-neun guk-ga-myeon-je-reul ju-jang-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: That country claimed state immunity. - Expression: 국가면제의 범위는 제한적일 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je-ui beom-wi-neun je-han-jeo-gil su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The scope of state immunity can be limited. - Expression: 법원은 국가면제 적용 여부를 검토했습니다.
Pronunciation: beo-bwo-neun guk-ga-myeon-je jeo-gyong yeo-bu-reul geom-to-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The court reviewed whether state immunity applies. - Expression: 국가면제에도 예외가 존재합니다.
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je-e-do ye-oe-ga jon-jae-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Exceptions exist even for state immunity. - Expression: 상업적 활동은 국가면제의 예외가 될 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-eop-jeok hwal-dong-eun guk-ga-myeon-je-ui ye-oe-ga doel su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Commercial activities can be an exception to state immunity. - Expression: 국가면제 포기는 명시적으로 이루어져야 합니다.
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je po-gi-neun myeong-si-jeo-geu-ro i-ru-eo-jyeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Waiver of state immunity must be done explicitly. - Expression: 이 소송은 국가면제 문제와 관련이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i so-song-eun guk-ga-myeon-je mun-je-wa gwan-ryeo-ni it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This lawsuit is related to the issue of state immunity. - Expression: 국가면제 이론은 주권 평등 원칙에 기반합니다.
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je i-ro-neun ju-gwon pyeong-deung won-chi-ge gi-ban-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The theory of state immunity is based on the principle of sovereign equality. - Expression: 그는 국가면제에 관한 논문을 쓰고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-neun guk-ga-myeon-je-e gwan-han non-mu-neul sseu-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: He is writing a thesis on state immunity. - Expression: 국가면제 관련 판례를 찾아봐야 합니다.
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je gwan-ryeon pan-rye-reul cha-ja-bwa-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to look up case law related to state immunity. - Expression: 국가면제와 외교관 면책특권은 다릅니다.
Pronunciation: guk-ga-myeon-je-wa oe-gyo-gwan myeon-chaek-teuk-gwo-neun da-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: State immunity and diplomatic immunity are different.
Discussing Legal Concepts
These phrases are useful when discussing legal principles, jurisdiction, and international cases.
- Expression: 이 사건은 국제법에 따라 처리되어야 합니다.
Pronunciation: i sa-geo-neun guk-je-beo-be tta-ra cheo-ri-doe-eo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: This case must be handled according to international law. - Expression: 해당 국가는 재판관할권이 없다고 주장합니다.
Pronunciation: hae-dang guk-ga-neun jae-pan-gwan-hal-gwo-ni eop-da-go ju-jang-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: That country claims it lacks jurisdiction. - Expression: 주권 평등의 원칙을 존중해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: ju-gwon pyeong-deung-ui won-chi-geul jon-jung-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must respect the principle of sovereign equality. - Expression: 법원은 관할권 문제를 먼저 판단할 것입니다.
Pronunciation: beo-bwo-neun gwan-hal-gwon mun-je-reul meon-jeo pan-dan-hal geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: The court will first decide on the issue of jurisdiction. - Expression: 양국 간의 조약 내용을 확인해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: yang-guk ga-nui jo-yak nae-yong-eul hwa-gin-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s check the contents of the treaty between the two countries. - Expression: 국제 관습법도 고려해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: guk-je gwan-seup-beop-do go-ryeo-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Customary international law must also be considered. - Expression: 이 문제는 외교적으로 해결하는 것이 좋을 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i mun-je-neun oe-gyo-jeo-geu-ro hae-gyeol-ha-neun geo-si jo-eul su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It might be better to resolve this issue diplomatically. - Expression: 법적 구속력이 있는 판결입니다.
Pronunciation: beop-jeok gu-song-ryeo-gi it-neun pan-gyeo-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: This is a legally binding judgment. - Expression: 소송 당사자들의 주장을 들어보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: so-song dang-sa-ja-deu-rui ju-jang-eul deu-reo-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We will hear the arguments of the parties to the lawsuit. - Expression: 판결에 불복하면 항소할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: pan-gyeo-re bul-bo-ka-myeon hang-so-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you disagree with the judgment, you can appeal. - Expression: 국제법 전문가의 의견이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: guk-je-beop jeon-mun-ga-ui ui-gyeo-ni pi-ryo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need the opinion of an international law expert. - Expression: 이 판례는 중요한 선례가 될 것입니다.
Pronunciation: i pan-rye-neun jung-yo-han seol-lye-ga doel geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: This case law will become an important precedent.
Cultural Insights on Legal Matters
Understanding cultural context is helpful when discussing legal topics in Korea.
- Formality: Legal discussions in Korea, especially those involving international law or government entities, are conducted with a high degree of formality. Using precise terminology and respectful language (like the formal
-습니다/-ㅂ니다ending) is crucial. - Emphasis on Sovereignty: Like many nations, Korea places significant importance on national sovereignty (주권 – ju-gwon). Discussions around state immunity often touch upon this sensitive aspect of international relations.
- Distinction from Diplomatic Immunity: While related, ensure clarity when distinguishing state immunity (국가면제 – guk-ga-myeon-je), which applies to the state itself, from diplomatic immunity (외교관 면책특권 – oe-gyo-gwan myeon-chaek-teuk-gwon), which applies to diplomats.
- Evolving Interpretations: Korean courts, like those in many countries, continue to interpret and apply principles of state immunity, particularly concerning exceptions for commercial activities or violations of international norms. Awareness of recent rulings can be important in professional contexts.
- Public Awareness: While specialists understand state immunity, general public awareness might be limited or conflated with diplomatic immunity. Explaining the concept clearly might be necessary in broader discussions.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two law students (Minjun and Sora) are discussing a recent international court case involving state immunity. Roles:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
- Expression: A: 소라 씨, 최근 국제 사법 재판소 판결 봤어요? X 국가를 상대로 한 소송이었는데, 국가면제가 쟁점이 됐더라고요.
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, choe-geun guk-je sa-beop jae-pan-so pan-gyeol bwat-seo-yo? ek-seu guk-ga-reul sang-dae-ro han so-song-i-eot-neun-de, guk-ga-myeon-je-ga jaeng-jeo-mi dwaet-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: Sora, did you see the recent ICJ ruling? It was a lawsuit against Country X, and state immunity became the main issue. - Expression: B: 아, 네 봤어요. X 국가는 주권을 근거로 국가면제를 주장했죠?
Pronunciation: a, ne bwat-seo-yo. ek-seu guk-ga-neun ju-gwo-neul geun-geo-ro guk-ga-myeon-je-reul ju-jang-haet-jyo?
Meaning: Ah, yes I saw it. Country X claimed state immunity based on sovereignty, right? - Expression: A: 맞아요. 그런데 원고 측은 해당 행위가 상업적 활동에 해당해서 국가면제의 예외라고 반박했어요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. geu-reon-de won-go cheu-geun hae-dang haeng-wi-ga sang-eop-jeok hwal-dong-e hae-dang-hae-seo guk-ga-myeon-je-ui ye-oe-ra-go ban-ba-kaet-seo-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. But the plaintiff’s side argued that the actions constituted commercial activity, making it an exception to state immunity. - Expression: B: 결국 법원은 어떻게 판단했나요? 국가면제를 인정했나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-guk beo-bwo-neun eo-tteo-ke pan-dan-haen-na-yo? guk-ga-myeon-je-reul in-jeong-haen-na-yo?
Meaning: So how did the court rule in the end? Did it recognize state immunity? - Expression: A: 아니요, 법원은 원고 측 주장을 받아들여서 국가면제를 인정하지 않았어요. 재판관할권이 있다고 본 거죠.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, beo-bwo-neun won-go cheuk ju-jang-eul ba-da-deu-ryeo-seo guk-ga-myeon-je-reul in-jeong-ha-ji a-nat-seo-yo. jae-pan-gwan-hal-gwo-ni it-da-go bon geo-jyo.
Meaning: No, the court accepted the plaintiff’s argument and did not recognize state immunity. It determined that it had jurisdiction. - Expression: B: 그렇군요. 국가면제 관련해서는 국제법 해석이 계속 발전하는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ku-nyo. guk-ga-myeon-je gwan-ryeon-hae-seo-neun guk-je-beop hae-seo-gi gye-sok bal-jeon-ha-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I see. It seems the interpretation of international law regarding state immunity is constantly evolving.
Practice and Application
Mastering legal terminology like “국가면제” takes practice! Try reading Korean news articles about international relations or court cases~ You can also practice explaining the concept to a language partner. Discussing hypothetical scenarios involving jurisdiction and sovereignty can really help solidify your understanding! Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll become more confident discussing complex legal topics in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)
