On the 11th, prosecutors filed an objection against the Korean Bar Association's partial decision to dismiss a request to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the attorneys for former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun.
According to prosecutors, on the 6th, the bar association sought to initiate discipline only over attorney Lee Ha-sang's YouTube remarks and dismissed the rest. The bar association notified the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office of this, saying it "made the dismissal decision on grounds including protecting the constitutional right to assistance of counsel."
Earlier, on Jan. 5, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office requested the initiation of disciplinary proceedings over conduct damaging to dignity in court by attorneys Lee Ha-sang, Kwon Woo-hyun, and Yoo Seung-su, who represent the former minister, Kim, as well as insulting remarks by Lee on YouTube.
Regarding this, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said that insulting remarks such as "conducting the trial like a stooge of the special prosecutor" and "prosecutors are making a fuss to show loyalty to Lee Jae-myung" undermine the authority of the court and seriously breach attorneys' ethical duties, adding, "We filed an objection because we determined there is a high risk that these actions far exceed the scope of the right to defense and could damage the foundations of the rule of law."