Ahn Cheolsu Criticizes Lee Jaemyung for Appointing Defense Lawyers: "Putting Public Office in the Mouths of Hostage-Takers"

Ahn Cheolsu Points Out Presidential Defense Lawyers Appointed to Public Office
"Those Closest to the Truth Behind Lee's Alleged Crimes"
"The President's Term Depends on What They Say... A President on a Leash"

Ahn Cheolsu, a member of the People Power Party, sharply criticized the personnel appointments of the Lee Jaemyung administration, saying, "In the end, it's as if the president has put public office in the mouths of hostage-takers, while the hostage is guaranteed safety." On July 15, through his social network service (SNS), Ahn stated, "Lawyers who defended the president in trials involving him are being placed in key positions," and argued, "This could be seen as a transactional relationship, but for these lawyers, the President of the Republic of Korea has essentially become a hostage."

Ahn Cheolsu, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Ahn said, "These are close and powerful positions that report directly to the president, such as the head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, chief of staff for planning and coordination at the National Intelligence Service, senior secretary for civil affairs at the presidential office, legal affairs secretary, secretary for public office discipline, and administrative officer in the senior civil affairs office," adding, "There is even someone who became a member of the National Assembly." He continued, "These lawyers have something in common: they are the people closest to the 'truth' behind the president's alleged crimes, including the Daejang-dong case, Ssangbangwool case, remittance to North Korea, forced hospitalization of his older brother, and the Hye Kyung-gung Kim case."

He added, "From the president's perspective, these could be the most uncomfortable people," and explained, "Although lawyers have an obligation to maintain confidentiality, they can disclose secrets for important public interest reasons, which means the president's term depends on what these lawyers say." He went on to say, "This will not be the end," and noted, "There are many positions that the president can offer as rewards, including those in public institutions, government committees, and nominations for local elections." He further commented, "Other defense lawyers will parachute into these positions," and lamented, "The improper trade of public office and truth by a president with a leash around his neck is regrettable for the future of the Republic of Korea."

Previously, the People Power Party criticized the appointment of Cho Woncheol (Judicial Research and Training Institute, 18th class), who defended President Lee in the 'Daejang-dong development corruption case,' as head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, calling it "judicial shield and reward-based appointment." Spokesperson Park Minyoung stated in a commentary on the 13th, "Following the appointment of Lee Taehyung, Jeon Chiyoung, and Lee Janghyung?lawyers who handled the president's cases?to the senior civil affairs office, a vice-ministerial-level appointment has now been made," and added, "Cho Woncheol, who is defending the president in the Daejang-dong case, has been appointed as head of the Ministry of Government Legislation." Park continued, "In June, there was even an attempt to appoint Lee Seungyeop, another defense lawyer in the Daejang-dong case, as a Constitutional Court justice, but it was scrapped due to conflict of interest concerns," and emphasized, "It is difficult to avoid criticism for both conflict of interest and reward-based appointments."

She stressed, "The head of the Ministry of Government Legislation is one of the most important posts responsible for the government's authoritative legal interpretations and is effectively regarded as a minister-level position," and questioned, "Is it appropriate for a lawyer who defended the president against criminal allegations to now take on the role of the government's chief legal officer, who must act in a value-neutral manner?"

However, Woo Sangho, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, defended the appointment in an interview on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus" on the 14th, saying, "Attorney Cho is highly regarded within the legal community," and added, "He has been recognized for his abilities and was selected because he is the right person for the job." Woo stated, "I do not think it is appropriate to exclude someone from public office simply because they defended the president," and explained, "Although he served as a defense lawyer, if he was appointed based on his qualifications and abilities, there is no major problem."