By Lee Kyung-min
The prosecution said Wednesday that it asked the Korea Bar Association (KBA) last month to issue professional penalties against seven lawyers who are members of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, a liberal organization, for a variety of what they alleged were “illicit” activities.
The KBA issued a strongly-worded statement protesting the move, saying it was a direct challenge to the rights of the lawyers and the clients they serve.
Under the law, the prosecution can ask the KBA to punish its member lawyers ― without indicting them ― “if they are found to have engaged in acts to obstruct prosecutors’ work.” The association can cancel lawyers’ licenses.
Under the administrations of former President Lee Myung-bak and President Park Geun-hye, the average number of times such action has been pursued by the prosecution has risen to between 20 to 40 times per year, according to the KBA. Prior to this, the prosecution referred around 10 cases per year. Last month’s move suggests that the prosecution lacks evidence to indict the lawyers and put them on trial.
Among the the seven lawyers, the prosecution alleges that Chang Kyung-wook advised one defendant to give “false” testimony during a trial. The defendant was later sentenced to three years in prison by the Supreme Court on charges of working as a North Korean spy.
Prosecutors also allege that another lawyer, Kim In-sook, told her client to remain silent while being interrogated ― which is a recognized legal right for an arrested person. The client was one of a number of citizens accused of assaulting a police officer during a street rally held near Gwanghwamun in downtown Seoul said prosecutors. Citizens who participated in the protest demanded a full inquiry to be conducted into the sinking of the ferry Sewol which occurred on April 16 with the loss of more than 300 lives, most of them high school students.
The other five lawyers are Kwon young-guk, Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Tae-wook, Song Young-sup, and Lee Deok-woo. They also defended protestors arrested at the same rally who were indicted and put on trial.