By: Jillisa Gary
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a legal intern at Handong International Law School in South Korea. I worked closely with three different attorneys whose practice areas could not have been more diverse—immigration, business and economics, and international human rights. Each of them gave me the chance to step into their world and contribute to ongoing projects, which stretched me both academically and spiritually.
My projects covered a wide range of legal issues. Early on, I researched President Trump’s proposed “gold card” investor visa program. I compared golden visa programs from around the world, studied their requirements, and then drafted possible legal pathways for how a U.S. “gold card” might be structured, even considering how it could fit within the EB-5 program.
I also worked on a constitutional law article related to the Second Amendment. My section focused on the “rooftop Koreans” during the Los Angeles riots in the 1990s and the unique questions that episode raises about armed self-defense, minority rights, and community protection. Another project involved analyzing the human rights concerns surrounding El Salvador’s mega-prison and President Bukele’s offer to house U.S. prisoners there. This pushed me to think critically about the balance between state sovereignty, criminal justice, and international law.
But the most meaningful assignment for me was working alongside the international human rights attorney on an article about the suppression of freedom of expression in South Korea—specifically regarding restrictions on rendering aid to North Koreans. This was not only a legal exercise but also a moral one. Our article, which will be submitted to multiple law journals and even to the United Nations, argues that such suppression violates international human rights law. To think that my research and writing could play a part, however small, in advocating for the North Korean people was both humbling and motivating.
Through all of this, God was teaching me dependence on Him. There were many weeks when I felt unsure of my purpose and even questioned whether I was making a difference. But time and again, God reminded me of His perfect timing and provision. He placed me with the right mentor, gave me projects with real-world implications, and reassured me that He is at work—even when I can’t always see the results. Once I was connected with the right person, God opened many doors. Within days, I went from feeling purposeless and disconnected from my work to interviewing a North Korean defector and the President-Appointed Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. It was really amazing to see how God made so many things happen that I could not have possibly done on my own. Also, it was obvious to everyone that it was God, not any human, opening these doors and doing Kingdom work through me.
This internship wasn’t just about sharpening my legal skills; it was about learning to integrate my faith into my future career. Proverbs 31:8–9 tells us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” This came alive for me this summer. I saw how God does not just care about the law, He is the law. If you look at a legal problem and can dream up a righteous solution, then there is a way in the law to get there. Because the law is one of God’s pathways to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the earth. This summer I had the opportunity to be a part of that process and it was beautiful.
Please pray for the attorneys and professors at Handong International Law School, that God would continue to bless their work as they train students and advocate for justice around the world. And please also pray for me, that I would continue to listen for God’s leading in how He wants me to use my legal training for His kingdom.
I am deeply grateful to the Center for Global Justice for making this internship possible, and to everyone who has prayed for me along the way. This summer has strengthened both my faith and my sense of calling, and I look forward to seeing how God will use this experience in the years ahead.
This post was written by a student at Regent University School of Law. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.