The National Office of Investigation under the National Police Agency announced on November 26 that the Supreme Court Administration has transferred a contempt of court case, which it reported to the Seocho Police Station, to the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
Through a press release on the same day, the National Office of Investigation stated, "Disruptive acts within the courtroom threaten the judiciary's function and the stability of judicial procedures, and constitute a serious crime that undermines constitutional order," adding, "To protect the rule of law and public trust in judicial procedures, we will conduct a swift and rigorous investigation in accordance with the law and established principles."
Previously, the Supreme Court Administration filed a police report on the previous day against attorneys Lee Hasang and Kwon Woohyun, who represent former Minister Kim, on charges including contempt of court and defamation.
On November 19, during the trial of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo on charges including aiding and abetting insurrection, attorneys Lee and Kwon appeared as witnesses and requested the presence of a trusted associate in the courtroom before the 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, but their request was denied. When the two attorneys shouted in court, claiming abuse of authority, the court ordered them to leave and sentenced them to 15 days of detention.
During the detention hearing, the two attorneys refused to answer questions from the court regarding their personal details, and the Seoul Detention Center, where they were to be held, requested clarification, stating that their identities had not been confirmed.
Consequently, the court determined that it would be difficult to execute the detention order and suspended its enforcement. After their release, the two attorneys appeared on a YouTube broadcast and criticized the court, saying, "Stop making a fuss and just do your job properly," and "You should have seen the judge trembling in fear."
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