The second issue of our Around the globe series featured Moulis Legal senior lawyer, Yunjin Lee, to talk to her about how her ethnicity and cultural background have assisted in her role within the legal space.
What is your role at Moulis Legal and what was your career progression to get to where you are?
I am currently a senior lawyer in Moulis Legal’s International Trade team.
My career progression started a number of years ago when I first began at Moulis Legal as a paralegal during university. At the time I was studying a double degree in Law and Asian Studies. Asian Studies required a language minor, which I chose as Mandarin to continue my language education from high school. I’ve always loved learning languages and mandarin is particularly fun (but difficult both to learn and to retain). So – I wondered how I could combine both degrees for my career.
As it happened, I was part of the Australia China Youth Association at ANU, a cultural and language exchange society, which eventually led me to attend an Australia China Business Council event in Canberra, where I met Charles. And that’s when I discovered the potential to use Mandarin in a trade law context – and I loved trade law during university.
So I sent off an email to Moulis Legal, had an interview, and started my career as a paralegal. Trade law is a fascinating area and really keeps your finger on the pulse of international events and relations – so I stayed on, and naturally progressed through to law graduate, admitted lawyer, and last year was promoted to senior lawyer. It has been a wonderful time, and I have had countless opportunities to use Mandarin with our clients, and as it turns out, regularly use Korean too!
Where are you from and what ethnicity do you identify with?
I'm from Korea, and I identify as Korean. I was born in Seoul and moved to Australia when I was very young, around two and a half years old.
What are some of Korea’s traditions and customs?
I’m sure there are many Korea-specific traditions and customs, but none are really coming to top of mind at the moment.
Something that is very present in my daily life is our food culture, which I think is great at persisting across countries and in spite of migration. In my opinion one of most iconic aspects of Korean food culture is our never-ending range of “banchan” which refers to the side dishes served with a meal. In my mind a standard Korean meal includes rice, soup, several side dishes, and a main dish. This reflects the Korean preference for a diverse dining experience, as having a little bit of everything is so much more satisfying than a single dish.
Korea also has its own, beautiful traditional clothing called “hanbok”, which basically translates to “Korean clothing”. Historically we would have worn this in our day-to-day, but now it's typically reserved for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions.
Do you think those traditions and customs impact culture and business and the integration of the two?
Yes, I think significant shared events, like Lunar New Year, can create a common understanding among East Asian and Southeast Asian cultures in a business context. Countries like China, Japan, and Korea all celebrate Lunar New Year, each with their own customs, but the shared celebration helps to foster a sense of mutual understanding. We also have cross-pollination of certain linguistic elements, which means that we share certain words, or that picking up on each other’s languages can be easier.
Having said that, it’s important to note that while these commonalities can create a base for mutual understanding, they can also carry historical prejudices. Each culture has its own nuances regarding politeness, hospitality, and appropriate behavior. Understanding and appreciating these cultural intricacies can really help to build your rapport in a business context, even if it might not be what “seals the deal”.
Within your native country, what are some of the standout business and/or brands?
Obviously, Samsung and Hyundai are standout businesses in Korea. I think these companies are economic assets which are almost synonymous with Korea. Alongside Samsung and Hyundai, LG is another prominent company.
There are some others that are lesser-known or that people do not appreciate are Korean, like LOTTE, a multinational conglomerate recognized by people primarily for its food products. It also operates in various other sectors, including retail with its own department stores. Korean multinational conglomerates tend to be ubiquitous and highly diversified, in that they offer a huge range of products and services both domestically and globally.
One that I should mention as well, as Korean skincare is on the rise, is Amore Pacific. Most people don’t know that it owns some of the most iconic Korean beauty brands like Sulwhasoo, Laneige, and Innisfree.
I have to admit, it has been quite a surreal experience to witness Korean brands and K-pop rise to popularity all over the world in the past decade or so.
In your role at Moulis Legal, what challenges have you faced in your career up to now in the diversity space and how did you overcome these challenges to fulfill your role?
This might not be a popular answer, but I don’t think I have faced significant challenges related to diversity in my career. This is absolutely not to say that others haven’t – but I don’t feel that I have ever encountered systemic obstacles due to my cultural background. If I did, I certainly wasn’t aware of it. I attended high schools in Brisbane with large Asian populations — one was majority Asian students, while the other also had a significant Asian presence. As a result, I've never felt different or like a minority, growing up in that multicultural and diverse environment.
If anything, being Korean has always been an asset and has allowed me to relate to more people, more effectively. For example, my ability to speak Korean has been highly beneficial in my career. I frequently work with Korean clients and travel to Korea, and get to use my cultural background and language skills to enhance my professional relationships and to deliver better service and outcomes.
With your experience, what does diversity and inclusivity in the workplace mean to you?
To me, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace mean recognizing and embracing the different experiences and lifestyles of others as a norm. This means that everyone’s unique cultural practices, special events, and personal needs should be familiar and accepted by all. In other words, the fact that we are different should be (and indeed is!) a matter of fact, and not a point of distinction or something to use as a divide. For example – I'm not saying that everyone has to celebrate Ramadan – but we live in a diverse community, and I have friends and colleagues who are Muslim – so it is, of course, a matter of fact, that it will be observed and celebrated. Diversity and inclusivity means to know and accept people’s differences as they simply are.
Put another way, it also means that you don’t divide people based on their differences. This covers a broad spectrum, from dietary preferences like gluten-free or vegetarian diets to cultural differences and physical disabilities. If someone uses a wheelchair or has a disability, I think acknowledging and accommodating that, without making them feel singled out or distinct from others, is key.
