Oh Gwangsu Steps Down as Han Hakja’s Legal Counsel
Special Prosecutor to Indict Geonjin on September 8
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, addressed the controversy over meeting Han Hakja, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church)'s legal counsel, stating that it was "merely a routine greeting." As Han was admitted to Seoul Asan Medical Center on September 3, the special prosecutor team plans to summon her for questioning on September 8.
Han Hakja, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Unification Church). Yonhap News Agency
At a regular briefing on the 4th, a member of the special prosecutor team explained, "Last week, an attorney from the law firm Bae, Kim & Lee met with the deputy special prosecutor regarding another case. On the way out, the attorney briefly stopped by the special prosecutor's office for a casual greeting over tea. The attorney did not disclose that he was representing the Unification Church case, and only exchanged routine greetings and well-wishes."
This clarification appears to have been made after media reports the previous day revealed that Attorney Lee, a former judge and current legal counsel for Han, had met with Special Prosecutor Min Jungki. It is known that Attorney Lee previously served as an associate judge under Special Prosecutor Min.
A member of the special prosecutor team stated, "Our team ensures the right to defense, confidentiality of the investigation, and work efficiency. Unless there are special circumstances, the deputy special prosecutor receives arguments from attorneys. We will always do our utmost to maintain fairness and impartiality in the investigation."
The special prosecutor team has notified Han to appear at the special prosecutor's office for questioning on the 8th. However, Han's side has not expressed any position regarding her attendance. After being admitted to a special room at Seoul Asan Medical Center the previous day, Han reportedly underwent a heart-related procedure and is currently recovering at the hospital.
A member of the special prosecutor team commented, "There are various reports about her hospitalization, but we have not been informed of the reasons or details. For now, we hope to proceed with the questioning on the 8th."
Oh Gwangsu Resigns as Han’s Legal Counsel... Special Prosecutor to Indict Geonjin on the 8th
On this day, Attorney Oh Gwangsu, who had joined Han Hakja’s legal team, resigned. Oh’s office announced in the afternoon that he had submitted a letter of resignation to the special prosecutor team and was stepping down from Han’s legal counsel.
Attorney Oh was nominated as the first Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs under President Lee Jaemyung but resigned just five days later due to allegations of holding assets under borrowed names. Oh, who was in the 18th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute alongside President Lee Jaemyung, previously served as Head of the Special Investigation Division 2 at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, Chief of the Special Investigation Division 2 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, and Chief Prosecutor at the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office. He is currently the managing attorney at the law firm Daeryuk Aju.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team plans to indict Jeon Seongbae, also known as Geonjin, on September 8 on charges of aggravated bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violation of the Political Funds Act.
He is accused of receiving luxury goods from the Unification Church between April and August 2022 as gifts for the First Lady and conveying various business and personnel requests. The Unification Church allegedly requested support for the Mekong River development project in Cambodia, assistance with the Unification Church’s acquisition of YTN, efforts to host the United Nations Fifth Secretariat Office in Korea, and an invitation to the presidential inauguration. Additionally, ahead of the local elections in June 2022, he is accused of receiving money under the pretext of prayer fees and relaying requests related to party nominations.
Jeon was arrested on July 21 on charges of aggravated bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violation of the Political Funds Act. He is accused of receiving luxury goods from the Unification Church between April and August 2022 as gifts for the First Lady and conveying various business and personnel requests.
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