Associate Professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea
Professor WooJung Jon is an accomplished academic and legal scholar, currently serving as Associate Professor at KAIST, South Korea. With an interdisciplinary expertise straddling law, technology, and intellectual property, he has built a career distinguished by a fusion of academic excellence, cross-border legal practice, and impactful policy work. He specializes in AI regulation, data law, intellectual property, and digital asset governance, and holds extensive international experience through affiliations with institutions like NYU Law and the Singapore Management University. His prolific research output and active policy engagement make him a leading voice in legal innovation and technology regulation in Asia.
Profile
Orcid
Education
Professor Jon’s academic journey is marked by an impressive array of degrees from globally renowned institutions. He earned his Ph.D. in Law and a Master of Studies in Legal Research from the University of Oxford. He holds a Juris Doctor from Korea University Law School, where he graduated summa cum laude. He also earned a Juris Master from Tsinghua University and a Master of Civil and Commercial Law from Peking University. Earlier, he completed a Bachelor and Master of Law from Seoul National University, graduating valedictorian and summa cum laude. His academic achievements have been consistently recognized through various scholarships and awards, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Prize and Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship.
Experience
Professor Jon’s career bridges academia, legal practice, and public service. Before joining KAIST as Assistant Professor in 2021 and becoming Associate Professor in 2025, he was a partner at Jeong Yul LLC, where he advised on foreign direct investment, intellectual property, and international arbitration. He has held advisory and leadership roles at KAIST, including Head of the Intellectual Property Minor Program and Program Director for the Global Procurement Program. His public sector involvement includes roles with the Korean Bar Association, Ministry of Land and Infrastructure, and the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property. Internationally, he has held research positions at institutions like the Max Planck Institute, UNIDROIT, and UNCITRAL, and served as a visiting scholar and research affiliate in Japan, Italy, Austria, and the United States.
Research Interest
Professor Jon’s research focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies and law, including AI, blockchain, intellectual property, and digital asset regulation. He leads several government-sponsored research projects on topics such as generative AI governance, digital asset regulatory frameworks, and patent infringement damages. His interests extend to human rights in North Korea, trade law, and comparative civil law. His current affiliations with NYU and SMU’s Centre for Digital Law reflect his global outlook and dedication to transnational legal discourse. His scholarly work is deeply concerned with contemporary legal challenges such as copyright protection for AI-generated works, virtual assets governance, and the implications of the EU AI Act for South Korea.
Award
Professor Jon’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades over his career. He received the Future Innovation Research Award from KAIST in 2022 and the Excellence Paper Award from Korea Exchange in 2024. His service to academia and policy development has been recognized by the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property and the KAIST Graduate School of Future Strategy. Earlier in his academic journey, he received prestigious recognitions such as the Dean’s Award at Korea University and the University President’s Award at Seoul National University, reflecting a consistent track record of excellence.
Publication
Professor Jon has published extensively in prestigious international journals. Selected publications include:
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“Mapping South Korea’s digital asset regulatory landscape”, Computer Law & Security Review, Vol. 57, 2025 – Cited by regulatory policy scholars and digital law analysts.
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“Comparative analysis of trademark protection in the metaverse”, Computer Law & Security Review, Vol. 57, 2025 – Referenced in virtual asset and IP law research.
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“Prompting Creativity: Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Content”, Media & Communication, Vol. 13, 2025 – Used in legal tech innovation studies.
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“Scientific challenges in governing military AI”, Nature Electronics, Vol. 7(11), 2024 – Cited by AI ethics and defense policy researchers.
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“Is your research a trade secret? South Korean data-sharing case”, Nature, Vol. 631, 2024 – Widely referenced in data privacy debates.
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“Benefits of North Korea’s Membership in ICSID”, Pacific Focus, Vol. 39(2), 2024 – Used in cross-border arbitration literature.
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“Can North Korea Enforce Foreign Arbitration Awards?”, Korea Observer, Vol. 54(3), 2023 – Cited by international dispute resolution researchers.
Conclusion
Professor WooJung Jon exemplifies a rare blend of scholarly depth, professional versatility, and societal relevance. His work is not confined to theoretical inquiry; it bridges the academic and policy worlds with a commitment to improving legal systems in response to technological change. Through his roles in academia, government, and international organizations, he contributes to shaping robust legal frameworks for future innovation. With a global network and multilingual proficiency, Professor Jon continues to influence legal scholarship and policy on a global scale, serving as a vital figure in navigating the legal complexities of the digital age.