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Ex-constitutional judge could join legal agents for Pres. Park

Ex-constitutional judge could join legal agents for Pres. Park

Posted December. 30, 2016 07:02,   

Updated December. 30, 2016 07:32

한국어

President Park Geun-hye finally began to prepare for her impeachment trial by participating in the first meeting with her legal agents on Thursday. The impeachment trial is expected to cause heated debates between the National Impeachment Committee and Park’s legal agents who formerly served as chief justice and attorney general.

According to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday, President Park met with the agents at 10 a.m. to discuss general matters on impeachment causes. Park reportedly said that it is a pity that suspicions are still high over the seven hours during the Sewol Ferry Crisis, which seems to be an undisputable matter.” To her legal agents, Park encouraged them by saying “I feel reassured by such distinguished members, and ask for your best efforts.” It was confirmed that besides nine agents including Lee Joong-hwan, former constitutional judge Lee Dong-heup participated in the meeting.

A Cheong Wa Dae official confirmed the presence of Lee who served as the chief justice at Suwon District Court and Seoul Family Court, and sat as the constitutional judge from 2006 to 2012. Though Lee was designated as the chief justice in January 2013, he gave up after a month due to suspicions on appropriating business expenses. It was told that Lee is contemplating over joining the legal agent. As a lawyer with ample experience as the Constitutional Judge, Lee is expected to give a big push to the agents when he decides to defend President Park.

Former Attorney General and incumbent President’s Special Advisor on Civil Affairs Lee Myung-jae is also known to provide legal advice to Park throughout the investigations and impeachment trial. Lee Beom-gwan, former head of Seoul District Public Prosecutors’ Office and Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office, was also known to join the legal agents.



Oh-Hyuk Kwon hyuk@donga.com · Seok-Jun Bae eulius@donga.com