The Korean Bar Association has initiated disciplinary proceedings against lawyer Lee Ha-sang, defense counsel for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, over controversial remarks cursing a judge on YouTube.
According to legal sources on the 9th, the Korean Bar Association's investigation committee held a review on disciplinary petitions against Lee and fellow lawyers Kwon Woo-hyun and Yoo Seung-soo. The committee voted to proceed with disciplinary action against Lee for his profane remarks about a judge on his YouTube channel. However, the committee rejected disciplinary petitions against Kwon and Yoo regarding their courtroom statements, citing the need to protect the right to defense.
The disciplinary committee will hear Lee's explanation and determine the final disciplinary measure based on submitted evidence. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office filed disciplinary petitions against all three lawyers with the Bar Association last month. The Seoul Central District Court had also requested disciplinary action against Lee and Kwon in November last year.
The grounds for disciplinary action include refusing the presiding judge's order to leave the courtroom and causing disruption, as well as making profane remarks about the judge on YouTube.
In November last year, Lee demanded that a person with a trust relationship be allowed to accompany former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo during his insurrection trial at the Seoul Central District Court's 33rd Criminal Division, presided over by Senior Judge Lee Jin-kwan. When the request was denied, Lee sparked controversy by shouting "abuse of authority." Senior Judge Lee sentenced lawyer Lee to 15 days of civil detention. However, the Seoul Detention Center requested supplementary information, citing that the lawyers' personal details were not properly specified. The court re-executed the detention order on the 3rd, two months after the original sentencing. Lee will remain at the Seoul Detention Center until the 16th.