[Exclusive] Seoul Bar Association Sends Emails Encouraging Support for Lawmakers, Sparking Backlash in Legal Circles

Seoul Bar Association's 'Guidance on Donations to Members of the National Assembly' Email Sent to Affiliated Members
Photo by Mail Capture

Seoul Bar Association's 'Guidance on Donations to Members of the National Assembly' Email Sent to Affiliated Members
Photo by Mail Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Seoul Bar Association (Seoul Bar) recently sent an email to its members encouraging them to donate political contributions to members of the National Assembly who hold lawyer qualifications, drawing criticism from both inside and outside the legal community.

According to the legal community on the 30th, the Seoul Bar sent an email titled "Guidance on Donations to National Assembly Members" to all members on the 28th. In the email, the Seoul Bar stated, "We are providing information on the political contribution donation system under the Political Funds Act to support National Assembly members with lawyer qualifications who are striving to establish the rule of law in actively carrying out their legislative activities," emphasizing to members that such donations "will be a great foundation for enhancing our rights and interests, the development of the lawyer system, and reconsideration."

They also added a request that when making donations, the sender should "preferably indicate 'Seoul Bar Association Lawyer OOO'." The email also informed that donors could receive tax deductions. As a final reference, a list of 'lawyer-origin National Assembly members' currently active in the 21st National Assembly was attached, regardless of party affiliation. The list included each member’s name, bank account number, contact phone number, and affiliated standing committee.

The legal community has expressed some backlash regarding this email. Some have criticized it as "an unnecessary action by the Seoul Bar." While the content of the email is not considered illegal?the Central Election Management Committee had previously issued a legal interpretation stating that it does not violate the law?there are reportedly many within the legal profession who view sending this email as inappropriate given the recent unfavorable public opinion toward National Assembly members. Notably, on the 28th, the same day the email was sent, the National Assembly rejected a motion to arrest Democratic Party lawmaker Noh Woong-rae, who is under suspicion of bribery and violations of the Political Funds Act, after a secret ballot, sparking calls to reconsider the special privileges such as 'immunity from arrest during sessions' that lawmakers enjoy.

The email has also drawn attention in connection with the ongoing Korean Bar Association presidential election campaign. The Seoul Bar, which sent the email, has been embroiled in controversy within the legal community after revelations that lawyers from certain groups have monopolized key positions in rotation, self-assigned lawsuits, and significantly increased executive allowances. This information was disclosed through election campaign materials created by lawyer Ahn Byung-hee, who is running for president. The materials included details such as the Seoul Bar executive board raising the monthly limit for additional actual expenses used by executives from 3 million won to 5 million won. The Bar Association’s election management committee initially demanded revisions to the campaign materials, citing violations of the 'Regulations on the Election of the President and Delegates,' which prohibit acts that damage the honor and dignity of lawyer organizations, but later notified that the materials would not be sent to voters. In response, Ahn’s side filed an injunction with the court demanding the distribution of the materials and won the injunction.

A Seoul Bar official told this publication in a phone interview, "The email was intended as guidance for members who want to donate to National Assembly members but do not know how to do so," adding, "The association is an organization that aims to serve the public through the unity of its members, and we only provided objective information about senior members who are working for good legislation." The official also stated, "There have been no complaints about the email content from our members."