This project addresses the challenge of accessing and analyzing South Korea's extensive legal data, which is hindered by a difficult-to-use official API. It provides 64 structured tools via an MCP server and CLI, enabling developers and AI assistants to easily search, retrieve, and process statutes, precedents, and ordinances. The primary benefit is democratizing access to legal information and facilitating programmatic analysis.

How It Works

The system acts as a wrapper around the Korean Ministry of Government Legislation (MoLeg) Open API, exposing its data through a unified Model Context Protocol (MCP) server and command-line interface (CLI). It employs intelligent features like automatic abbreviation resolution (e.g., 화관법 to 화학물질관리법) and article number normalization. Novel "Chain Tools" allow for complex, multi-step research workflows to be executed in a single call, streamlining intricate legal analysis.

Quick Start & Requirements

Installation is straightforward via npm install -g korean-law-mcp for the CLI/server or using Docker. A free API key from the MoLeg Open API is required and configured via the LAW_OC environment variable. For immediate use without installation, a remote endpoint is available at https://korean-law-mcp.fly.dev/mcp. Detailed documentation is available in the docs/ directory.

Highlighted Details

• Offers 64 distinct tools covering statutes, precedents, administrative rules, ordinances, and specialized legal domains.
• Supports integration with AI assistants like Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Windsurf via the MCP protocol.
• Automates the extraction and conversion of HWPX/HWP annexes into Markdown tables.
• Features 7 composite "Chain Tools" for advanced research workflows, such as chain_full_research.
• Includes caching mechanisms for search results (1-hour) and article data (24-hour) to improve performance.

Maintenance & Community

Developed by a Korean civil servant and the "AI동호회" (AI club) at Gwangjin-gu Office, this project appears community-driven. No specific community channels (like Discord/Slack) or detailed roadmap are explicitly linked in the README.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is released under the MIT License, which is highly permissive and allows for commercial use, modification, and distribution, including within closed-source applications.

Limitations & Caveats

Operation is contingent on obtaining and providing a valid MoLeg Open API key. The project's maintenance and long-term support may depend on the continued availability and engagement of its community contributors.