Thorough probe called for in favoritism among lawyers

Signs are being revealed everywhere indicating that Jeong Un-ho, CEO of cosmetic brand Nature Republic, lobbied widely in an attempt to get a suspended sentence or bail in an appeals trial for his allegedly illegal gambling in the Philippines. The prosecution has had an arrest warrant issued for a broker who was involved in the case. Although the prosecution said it was investigating an allegation that he had lobbied for Jeong while having dinner with a senior judge at the Seoul Central District Court last December.

In addition to hiring lawyers who were formerly senior judges, Jeong has also allegedly taken full advantage of his personal connections in an attempt to lobby for a light sentence. An attorney who claims to have been fired by Jeong after being beaten by him alleges that the accused helped a daughter of a senior judge to win a prize in a beauty pageant which his company sponsored. Reportedly, the judge is also included in a list of people who were involved in the lobbying for Jeong’s release. Another senior judge is also said to have been asked by a cosmetic surgeon close to Jeong to ask the judges of his trial for leniency.

The prosecution asked a higher court to give Jeong a prison sentence of 30 months, down from 36 months sought by the prosecutors in the first trial. It is unusual that the prosecution seeks a lighter punishment in an appeals case. Suspicions are rising that the prosecution did so as a favor to a senior prosecutor-turned lawyer representing Jeong. In a previous case involving Jeong’s allegedly illegal gambling in Macao, the lawyer won an acquittal and 150 million won (131,752 U.S. dollars) in fees. As there is increasing circumstantial evidence indicating that Jeong’s use of former prosecutors for lobbying worked, the prosecution must conduct a thorough investigation.

It is a chronic malaise in the legal community for prosecutors and judges to give favors to lawyers who were once their colleagues or seniors. In 1999, six prosecutors were fired for receiving money from a senior prosecutor-turned lawyer. In 2006, a broker spilled the beans on similar practices, resulting in a guilty sentence for a vice minister-level judge. Last year, a judge was indicted on charges of having received a large amount of money from a loan shark. Even though numerous measures have been taken to eradicate such illegal practices involving judges, prosecutors and lawyers, it is lamentable that some senior judges still take treats from brokers.

Without the lawyer’s exposure, Jeong’s alleged lobbying would not have been revealed. It is unclear who widespread such favoritism and lobbying are within the legal community. The prosecution must leave no stones unturned in the case if it does not want to be criticized for protecting its own people.

송평인기자 pisong@donga.com