'Gangbuk-gu Apartment Security Guard Assault' Resident's Lawyer Resigns... Trial Postponed

In front of the apartment guard post in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, where the late Choi Hee-seok, who made an extreme choice after conflicts with residents over the "parking issue within the complex," worked, memorial messages from residents are posted.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The first trial of a man in his 40s, who was indicted for assaulting the late apartment security guard Choi Hee-seok in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, has been postponed due to the resignation of his defense attorney.

At the first hearing of Shim Mo (49) held on the 24th at the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Hyeo Kyung-ho), Shim's defense attorney stated, "I have officially decided to resign today, so it would be better to appoint a new attorney to proceed with the future procedures."

In response, the court pointed out, "The defendant was indicted on June 12, and the two-month detention period will first expire on August 11," adding, "The hearing was initially scheduled for the 3rd of this month, then changed to the 17th, and finally held today, so about three weeks have passed due to the request for changing the hearing date."

The court further stated, "Since this is a detention case, it is a mandatory defense case that must have an attorney," and "After the resignation, the court will have no choice but to appoint a public defender to proceed." The court also added, "It is best to avoid any misunderstanding that the defendant is deliberately delaying the trial," emphasizing, "This does not benefit the defendant in any way."

Shim is accused of continuously assaulting and threatening security guard Choi after a dispute over parking on April 21 of this year. Choi left a will stating that he had been assaulted and threatened by Shim and took his own life on May 10. The prosecution indicted Shim on seven charges, including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory confinement, injury, retaliatory assault), false accusation, attempted coercion, threat, and injury.

At the trial, Choi’s elder brother, who was observing from the gallery, expressed his frustration, saying, "It seems like they are deliberately dragging out the time," and added, "As a family, it is heartbreaking." The next trial is scheduled for August 21 at 10:50 a.m.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.