The Bar Association on Controversy Over the Public Prosecutor's Office Recommendation Committee Member Who Resigned After Defending 'Jo Joo-bin's Accomplice': "Even Murderers Have the Right to Legal Assistance"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Korean Bar Association issued a statement regarding former Gyeonggi Central Bar Association President Jang Seong-geun's resignation from the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) chief candidate recommendation committee due to his defense of Jo Joo-bin's accomplice in the 'Nth Room' case, stating that it "could lead to an infringement of the public's right to a fair trial."

On the 14th, the Korean Bar Association released a statement titled "Even murderers have the right to legal assistance from lawyers," saying, "After much controversy, Lawyer Jang resigned from the committee," and argued, "A lawyer, who must defend all cases without prejudice, resigning due to public pressure ultimately leads to an infringement of the public's right to a fair trial."

Furthermore, the Bar Association pointed out, "According to the lawyer's ethical code, a lawyer cannot refuse to defend a case solely because the case content is criticized by society," and added, "The Korean Bar Association considers selective defense as grounds for disciplinary action."

They also explained, "In the past, there have been cases where investigative agencies distorted the facts of cases through unjust detention and investigation, causing innocent citizens to be wrongfully punished," and "Because of this, our Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to legal assistance during investigation and trial."

The Bar Association emphasized, "If the right of all citizens to receive legal assistance during trial is not guaranteed, suspects or defendants, who are at a disadvantage compared to investigative agencies such as the prosecution, will not be able to protect themselves, potentially repeating the wrongful accusation of Mr. Yoon in the Lee Chun-jae case, who was unjustly labeled a murderer."

Earlier, former President Jang was selected as a candidate recommendation committee member for the HOCI chief representing the Democratic Party of Korea, but after it was revealed that he defended Kang Mo, an accomplice of Jo Joo-bin, he resigned from the committee on the 13th amid controversy.

Kang was arrested and indicted on charges including stalking his former homeroom teacher A, whom he had been stalking for a long time since his first year of high school, and after being sued, he informed Jo Joo-bin of A and her family's personal information and requested retaliation.