The legal representatives for former Ambassador Morse H. Tan hold a press conference on the 10th. [Channel A GIF] 

Morse H. Tan, the former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, has filed a motion to recuse the presiding judge. 

Previously, former Ambassador Tan was barred from leaving the country by Jung Sung-ho on the grounds of defamation against Lee Jae-myung. 

In response, he filed for a suspension of execution, requesting that the court adjudicate the unfairness of the travel ban. However, after the court ruled that the exit ban was justified, he requested a change of judge. 

On the 10th, the legal team for former Ambassador Tan filed for the recusal of Judge Wi Ji-hyun of the Seoul Administrative Court (1st Administrative Division), who had previously dismissed the application for suspension of the exit ban, citing "concerns regarding an unfair trial." 

Attorney Kim Ji-mi, representing the plaintiff, stated at the press conference, "Ambassador Morse Tan's request for recusal is an act of resistance against the unconstitutional and anti-democratic oppression by the Lee Jae-myung regime toward Ambassador Tan, as well as a protest against judicial violence operating for the benefit of power." 

She further pointed out, "Ambassador Morse Tan is currently in Jamsil, standing with South Korean citizens protesting against election fraud in resistance to the Lee Jae-myung regime. Attempting to forcibly block his departure and conduct a baseless investigation under the guise of defamation is a challenge to freedom of expression and a criminal act that harms the ROK-U.S. alliance and the national interests of South Korea." 

She added, "The legal team will take every possible legal measure to protect both the rights of Ambassador Morse Tan and the national interests of South Korea." 

Previously, attorney Lee Ha-sang explained during the first hearing on the same day that they had "filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) against Judge Wi Ji-hyun for charges including dereliction of duty." 

Below is the full statement from the legal team.