Lawyers Lee Ha-sang (left) and Kwon Woo-hyun, who represent former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, filed a complaint against Chief Judge Lee Jin-kwan on the 24th, accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights. Yonhap News

A conflict is reigniting between lawyers Lee Ha-sang and Kwon Woo-hyun, who represent former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and Chief Judge Lee Jin-kwan of the Seoul Central District Court. 

The two lawyers filed a complaint against Chief Judge Lee on the 24th, accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights, among other charges.

earlier in the day, during a continuation hearing for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's rebellion aiding case, the court announced it would re-execute the detention order against lawyers Lee Ha-sang and Kwon Woo-hyun. 

Chief Judge Lee Jin-kwan, the presiding judge, stated, "The existing detention order (against the former minister's lawyers) will be executed. We will confirm their personal information through legal procedures and execute it in accordance with the conditions required by the detention center."

On the 19th, during the trial related to former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's rebellion, lawyers Lee Ha-sang and Kwon Woo-hyun requested to have a "confidant present" before the cross-examination of former Minister Kim. The court refused, stating, "This trial can only be observed with a spectator ticket." 

When the two lawyers protested, invoking "abuse of power," Chief Judge Lee Jin-kwan issued a 15-day detention order against them for disturbing the court.

However, because the two lawyers remained silent regarding their personal identification, including their names and resident registration numbers, the Seoul Detention Center refused to admit them, citing the inability to ascertain their personal details.

The legal team representing former Minister Kim, who filed a complaint against Chief Judge Lee Jin-kwan for abuse of power and other charges, considers the court's detention order to be unlawful as well.

Hankukmiguk Ilbo Editorial Department