Kim Byung-joon (center), co-representative of the Professors' Association for the Practice of Freedom and Justice, explains the purpose of the rally to condemn Judge Lee Jin-gwan. [Photo=Hanmi Ilbo]A rally to condemn Judge Lee Jin-gwan, hosted by the Professors' Association for the Practice of Freedom and Justice (Jagyomo) and sponsored by Hanmi Ilbo, was held in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

At the rally, which took place at noon on the 9th in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Professor Kim Byung-joon, co-representative of Jagyomo, presided and condemned Judge Lee Jin-gwan as the "person responsible for the illegal detention of lawyer Lee Ha-sang."

"Personal Feelings Exceeding Authority"

In his opening remarks, Professor Kim Byung-joon, who emceed the event, criticized, "Judge Lee Jin-gwan committed an unprecedented act of illegally detaining a lawyer by mobilizing attendants after the trial had effectively concluded. This is an act that goes against morality and common sense, let alone legal principles."

Professor Kim pointed out that ordering detention based on the single statement "I have something to say to the judge" from the gallery, beyond not allowing the lawyer's request to attend the trial, was "an act of personal feelings exceeding authority," and argued that the fundamental principles of judicial power had been undermined.

He further explained the circumstances, stating, "After lawyer Lee Ha-sang, who was the legal counsel for Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun when he appeared as a witness, was denied permission to attend the trial, he expressed his intention to speak from the gallery, and an immediate detention order was issued. At the end of the trial, it was carried out by mobilizing about 10 attendants while another trial was in progress."

He also clarified the position of Jagyomo: "It can only be seen as a retaliatory measure to execute the detention again at this point, nearly a month after the Seoul Detention Center had made an immediate release decision. Jagyomo cannot turn a blind eye to the life-or-death struggle of lawyer Lee Ha-sang, who is on his 6th day of hunger strike, nor will we stand by and watch the aberration of judicial power."

No Young-woo, former president of the Patriotic Comrades Association of Joongang High School, who spoke first that day, argued, "The separation of powers is collapsing in the Republic of Korea. This has become a country where judges imprison people based on emotions and political inclinations, not on the law."

He vehemently stated, "What crime did lawyer Lee Ha-sang commit? This is a violation of human rights and judicial terror."

Furthermore, Chairman No warned, "The entire public service sector is under an atmosphere where one wrong word can lead to disadvantages. If this country perishes, the damage will ultimately fall upon the citizens and their children."

Concerns of System Collapse, Not Just an Individual Judge's Problem

Cho Yang-geon, Chairman of the Korea Freedom Federation, criticized Judge Lee Jin-gwan as "an individual who engages in political rulings within the judiciary," and pointed out, "We must question not only a single judge but also the political power behind them." He went on to argue, "This situation is not merely a problem of court order but a problem of the national system."

A rally to condemn Judge Lee Jin-gwan, hosted by the Professors' Association for the Practice of Freedom and Justice (Jagyomo) and sponsored by Hanmi Ilbo, was held in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. [Photo=Hanmi Ilbo]

Cho Meng-ki, Emeritus Professor of Media and Information at Sogang University, expressed concern about the collapse of the system.

He stated, "If the legal system collapses, the entire nation becomes a victim. The moment a lawyer is detained for 15 days, countless citizens who relied on that lawyer's help are effectively abandoned." He also pointed out, "The legal profession and the media are key to social integration, but instead, they are fostering division and fear."

Lee Soo-hong, Chairman of the Citizens' Association for the Rectification of Senior Election Irregularities, criticized, "Judge Lee Jin-gwan's detention order is not simply an individual's deviation but a symbolic representation of the broader issues within the judiciary today. Political trials and selective justice are recurring." He added, "The silent political circles are also not free from responsibility."

Reverend Ju Yoo-seop, co-representative of the Citizens' Movement for the Practice of Freedom and Human Rights, argued, "If a judge makes rulings based on their political beliefs rather than the law, it is violence, not justice."

He further stated, "Ordering detention emotionally without guaranteeing the lawyer's right to defense is no different from organized crime. If such rulings are repeated, no one in the nation will be safe in court."

"South Korea's Judicial Trust is Among the Lowest in the World"

Kim Byung-tae, former chairman of ROTC, addressed the issue of judicial trust, which contrasts with South Korea's international standing.

He argued, "While South Korea has become a global nation economically and culturally, its judicial trust is among the lowest in the world. This is the result created by elite legal professionals." He emphasized, "Authority is not built through physical force but through fair rulings."

Nam Kwang-kyu, a professor at Kookmin University, stated, "If the judiciary had maintained even the minimal amount of conscience, South Korea would not have reached this point. Judge Lee Jin-gwan's ruling and detention order are acts of violence that exceed a judge's authority." He warned, "The moment a judge's personal ambition for promotion overwhelms justice, the judiciary becomes the enemy of the people."

Won Jong-sam, chairman of the ROTC Patriotic Comrades Association, asserted, "Today's rally is a cry to protect the judicial order of free Korea, beyond a specific individual. A judge who has abandoned their conscience is no longer a judge." He urged continued public interest and action, stating, "Silence is complicity."

Shin Do-cheol, Emeritus Professor at Sookmyung Women's University, argued, "This incident is an extension of the crisis in South Korean democracy. Lawyer Lee Ha-sang, who has been defending Minister Kim Yong-hyun, has become a target." He also stated, "The current political and judicial situation is intertwined with international affairs, and the truth will eventually be revealed."

Park Jae-eon, Doctor of the Citizens' Movement Headquarters for the Abolition of the Surrender, expressed strong concern over recent judicial and electoral controversies and appealed for continued street protests.

He raised doubts about the entire domestic election management system and argued for the possibility of relevant suspicions being re-examined in light of future changes in the international political landscape. Mr. Park stated that the evaluation of President Yoon Suk-yeol would also change and emphasized the need for supporters to rally.

"The Republic of Korea is at a Critical Juncture"

Park Se-won, secretary-general of the Citizens' Movement Headquarters for the Abolition of the Comfort Women Law, pointed out the anxiety that ordinary citizens could be subject to personal detention at any time in the face of unjust judgments by judges, and emphasized that judicial authority stems from fairness. He criticized the reality of even post-trial remarks being scrutinized and called for the immediate release of lawyer Lee Ha-sang.

Finally, Professor Kim Byung-joon said, "The Republic of Korea is at a critical juncture. If even the judiciary becomes politicized, the people will have nowhere to turn."

He emphasized, "Lawyer Lee Ha-sang was merely fulfilling his duties in court. The reality of him being driven to detention and hunger strike as a consequence must be rectified." He added, "We will watch this situation until the end and will not cease our actions to hold Judge Lee Jin-gwan accountable."

The rally concluded with participants chanting slogans such as "We condemn Judge Lee Jin-gwan" and "Release lawyer Lee Ha-sang immediately." The organizers stated that they are also considering further rallies and legal action.