Judge Lee Jin-gwan wiping away tears during the ruling, with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (right) present. [Photo=Yonhap News] 

Chief Judge Lee Jin-gwan, who handed down a severe sentence of 23 years in the first trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, which was 8 years longer than the 15-year sentence requested by the special prosecutor's team.

Conscious lawyers are raising their voices on the matter, as fellow members of the legal profession.

Lawyer Park Ju-hyun (President of the Hanmi Leaders Forum, former Special Inspector for the Blue House) received significant agreement for her Facebook post on the 22nd titled "The Judiciary, an Enemy of Democracy: Urgent Sanctions Against Political Judge Lee Jin-gwan by the United States."

Furthermore, lawyers Lee Ha-sang and Ko Young-il, on the same day on the YouTube channel 'Attack of the Lawyers,' fiercely criticized Judge Lee Jin-gwan under the title "A Judge Turned Weapon," garnering support from numerous users.

'Rule by Law' Masquerading as 'Rule of Law'

Lawyer Park Ju-hyun stated, "This is an era where the hammers wielded by those in judicial robes are brutally violating democracy more than guns and swords," and declared, "The South Korean judiciary is no longer the 'last bastion of justice.'"

She further criticized, "They have degenerated into 'political hunting dogs' who hide behind unelected power, butcher publicly elected representatives, and distort public sentiment."

She lamentably voiced, "Chief Judge Lee Jin-gwan and his associate judges, who are at the center of controversy due to rulings that disregard common sense and legal principles, are at the heart of this issue. We must now admit that we cannot resolve this matter within the domestic judicial system."

She proclaimed, "It is time for the United States, an ally and a nation that shares democratic values, to impose direct sanctions on them to sound an alarm to the Korean judiciary, which has lost its ability to self-correct."

Lawyer Park stated, "The recent ruling by the Lee Jin-gwan bench appears to be driven by clear political motives rather than legal rigor," and added, "A conclusion reached by relying on subjective conviction rather than clear evidence, and by thoroughly disregarding the defendant's right to defense, is difficult to see as a mere misjudgment."

She further expressed concern for the South Korean judiciary, stating that such behavior is akin to intentional "judicial murder" aimed at sending influential opposition leaders to a political guillotine.

Lawyer Park even invoked the term 'coup d'état.'

"If the judiciary disrespects the will of the people formed through democratic processes like elections and attempts to artificially reshape the political landscape with just their pens, then that is a coup d'état. Judge Lee Jin-gwan and the associate judges who concurred with him are committing grave crimes that undermine the values of the South Korean Constitution, hiding behind the shield of 'independence.'"

Why are U.S. Sanctions Necessary?

Regarding the "necessity of U.S. sanctions," Lawyer Park referenced the U.S. "Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act."

This law serves as a basis for imposing sanctions such as visa restrictions and asset freezes on individuals worldwide who commit human rights abuses, engage in corruption, or severely undermine democratic processes.

Lawyer Park emphasized, "The biased rulings and political oppression by some judges in Korea are not merely internal affairs but a 'violation of democratic values.' Korea is a bulwark of democracy in Asia. The judiciary's descent into a political tool to suppress the opposition is a regression of democracy, and this threatens Korea's standing as a U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy partner."

She further asserted, "The right to a fair trial is a constitutional right and a universal human right. The abuse of law to eliminate political opponents is a clear 'human rights violation.'"

Therefore, placing Chief Judge Lee Jin-gwan and the other members of his bench on the sanctions list is an act of defending the values of 'democracy and human rights' that the United States champions.

Lawyer Park unequivocally stated, "Not only Chief Judge Lee Jin-gwan, who presided over the case, but also the associate judges who remained silent or concurred cannot be absolved of responsibility," labeling them as 'accomplices.'

Lawyer Park Ju-hyun emphasized the need for international sanctions, arguing that Judge Lee Jin-gwan undermined democratic values and violated human rights. [Photo=Park Ju-hyun's Facebook] 

She argued, "If they succumbed to undue pressure or political bias instead of following the law and conscience during the deliberation process of the trial, they too are 'accomplices in the destruction of democracy.' Comprehensive visa restrictions, asset freezes in the United States, and public disclosure of their names in the international community will send a strong signal to the Korean judiciary."

She also did not forget to issue a stern warning: "If you intend to engage in politics while wearing judicial robes, be prepared to be treated as a criminal by the international community."

Lawyer Park concluded, "The judicial cartel in South Korea is robust. It will not change without external shock. The internal monitoring and checks and balances system is already inoperable. The only things that can stop this distorted judicial dictatorship are the resistance of awakened citizens, coupled with the cool surveillance and sanctions of the international community."

Finally, Lawyer Park Ju-hyun conveyed a solemn plea to the citizens of South Korea.

"The pursuit of U.S. sanctions against the Lee Jin-gwan bench is not interference in Korea's internal affairs. Rather, it is essential surgery to support Korea's faltering democracy and re-establish the universally shared value of 'equality before the law.' If we do not act now, the next target will be all of us citizens."

Reckless Fluctuation or Final Desperation?

The 'Attack of the Lawyers' also offered sharp criticism of Judge Lee Jin-gwan's judgment, which exceeded all norms.

When lawyer Lee Ha-sang said, "It feels like a psychopath running around with a knife, stabbing anyone," lawyer Ko Young-il retorted, "It feels like they are cornered and making a last-ditch effort, like a cornered rat."

Regarding the associate judges in this trial, lawyer Lee stated, "These are the judges who issued arrest warrants for all the troubled youths at the Western District Court, the associate judges in the panel that sentenced Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon to a prison term during the bail review. The fact that this case was assigned to the Western District Court when it could have been tried at the Northern Branch or Central District Court itself indicates they are cornered," he vehemently criticized.

The two lawyers, who were discussing scripture, intensely criticized, "When they made the sentencing recommendation for President Yoon Suk-yeol, seeing them attribute the responsibility for the current economic crisis and exchange rate crisis rampant in our society to President Yoon made me think of Satan."

Lawyer Lee viewed even Judge Lee's "tears" as "showmanship" and sharply observed, "The most dangerous thing is not realizing you are being used as a weapon. Anti-state forces have filled the courts with dangerous weapons."

He further argued, "What Korean judges should be angry about is the collapse of the judiciary itself. It's the collapse of the judiciary when the Chief Justice, the head of the judiciary, is dragged to the National Assembly and torn apart."

He emphasized, "Judges must make judgments according to the Constitution, laws, and conscience, but there are people whose conscience does not function. We must refill the judiciary with righteous people."

Lawyer Lee concluded, "Judge Lee Jin-gwan might think he has done something great, but history is not changed by rulings. Why? Because they are not the masters of history."

"Han Duck-soo Will Face Historical Judgment Again"

Lawyer Lee also voiced criticism not only of Judge Lee Jin-gwan, who sentenced him to 23 years, but also of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who received the 23-year sentence, stating, "He was actually not involved in martial law."

Lawyers Lee Ha-sang (left) and Ko Young-il criticize Judge Lee Jin-gwan in a broadcast titled "A Judge Turned Weapon" on the YouTube channel 'Attack of the Lawyers.' [Photo=Attack of the Lawyers]

"He opposed, disparaged, and insulted President Yoon's martial law, yet he even ran in the presidential primary. When President Yoon was impeached early on, as acting president, he should have stopped the Special Investigation Headquarters and the Joint Investigation Headquarters, but he failed to do so. In the end, he unleashed hunting dogs and ended up being hunted himself."

The two lawyers stated, "From a legal professional's perspective, sentencing him to 23 years solely for failing to prevent martial law during the State Council deliberation is unthinkable. However, history will judge former Prime Minister Han. It's not just about receiving a 23-year sentence," they asserted.

Meanwhile, in November 2025, Chief Judge Lee Jin-gwan of the Seoul Central District Court ordered a 15-day detention for lawyers Lee Ha-sang and Kwon Woo-hyun during the trial of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, citing courtroom disturbances and insulting remarks.

At the time, lawyers Lee Ha-sang and others protested the detention order and filed a complaint against Judge Lee Jin-gwan for abuse of power, leading to ongoing legal disputes between the two parties.

Reporter Lim Yo-hee