Mass Resignation of Former Prosecutor Lawyers Representing Lee Jae-yong

Resignation of Lawyers Kim Kidong, Lee Dongyeol, Hong Gichae, Kim Heegwan, and Han Seung
Former Judges Expected to Be Appointed as Legal Team Ahead of Trial

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who is under prosecution investigation for allegations of unfair succession of management rights related to the merger of the former Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, as well as allegations of accounting fraud at Samsung Biologics, is entering the courtroom to attend the warrant hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] A large number of former prosecutors turned lawyers who defended Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong during the prosecution's investigation into allegations of improper succession of Samsung's management rights have resigned.

According to the legal community on the 4th, Kim Ki-dong, former Busan District Prosecutor who was Lee’s defense attorney, and Lee Dong-yeol, former Seoul Western District Prosecutor, submitted their resignation letters to the trial panel handling Lee’s case.

Hong Ki-chae, a lawyer from the law firm Dajeon with a background in special investigations, and Kim Hee-gwan, a lawyer with a planning background, also submitted resignation letters. Han Seung, a former Jeonju District Court Chief Judge who was involved in the pre-arrest suspect interrogation stage, also submitted his resignation letter on the same day.

Other lawyers involved in the investigation phase are expected to submit resignation letters ahead of the full trial. Lee’s side is reportedly planning to appoint a large number of former judges as defense attorneys in preparation for the trial.

Previously, Lee had formed a defense team of about 20 members. On the 2nd, after the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Lee and the case was assigned to the Criminal Division 25-2 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Im Jeong-yeop, Kwon Seong-su, Kim Seon-hee), former prosecutors turned lawyers resigned.

Meanwhile, it is widely expected that Lee’s trial will be held in Criminal Courtroom 417 or Criminal Courtroom 311 at the Seocho-dong Court Complex. The defendants include Lee Jae-yong, Choi Ji-sung (69), former Samsung Future Strategy Office Chief (Vice Chairman), Kim Jong-jung (64), former Future Strategy Office Strategy Team Leader (President), and a total of 11 people.

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