10 Yonsei University Alumni Lawyers
Submit Power of Attorney for Litigation
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Three Yonsei University students filed criminal charges and civil lawsuits against cleaning and security workers, claiming they disrupted classes. In response, Yonsei alumni legal professionals have decided to provide legal defense.
On the 12th, Kim Namjoo, attorney at Dodam Law Firm and a Yonsei University Law alumnus from the class of 1995, along with the "Yonsei University Cleaning Workers Litigation Representatives," announced, "Yonsei University alumni lawyers will participate as representatives for the defendants (including Yonsei cleaning workers) in the damages lawsuit filed by the three students against the cleaning workers."
According to the representatives, 26 Yonsei University graduate lawyers have expressed their support for Yonsei’s position, and 10 lawyers have submitted power of attorney for the lawsuit. The representatives stated, "Although more alumni lawyers have expressed willingness to participate, we decided not to increase the number of representatives further to avoid misunderstandings that we are trying to show off."
In a statement, they explained their support for the cleaning workers: "While we cannot force consideration and attention toward the cleaning workers, we believe that filing criminal charges and civil lawsuits to suppress their actions is excessive."
They added, "The spirit of Yonsei, which produced predecessors like Yoon Dongju and Lee Han-yeol, does not align with suppressing the rights of the vulnerable. Even if not out of a sense of justice, it would have been better to show a spirit of warm consideration." They also mentioned that their goal is not to win the lawsuit but to engage in open dialogue with the students who filed the lawsuit as fellow alumni.
The representatives urged responsible action from the university. "This issue is a microcosm of our society’s subcontracting structure," they said. "Because the primary contractor does not resolve this issue, disputes arise between subcontractors and workers, causing indirect harm to those around them." They continued, "Yonsei University authorities are ultimately responsible for this situation and should not remain passive but take a leading role to ensure that the plaintiffs withdraw the criminal charges and civil lawsuits."
They also announced plans to declare their solidarity with the cleaning workers as alumni legal professionals in the future.
Meanwhile, since March, Yonsei University cleaning and security workers have been holding rallies demanding expanded on-campus shower facilities and wage increases. In response, three students claimed their right to education was infringed due to the noise from the rallies and filed a damages claim of approximately 6.4 million KRW, including tuition fees, mental damages, and psychiatric treatment costs. They also filed criminal charges for obstruction of business against Kim Hyunok, head of the Yonsei University branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers’ Union, at the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station.
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