'Rotok' Operator: "Bar Association Spreading False Information... Show a Lawyer-like Attitude"

'Rotok' advertisement installed at Gyodae Station, Seocho-gu, Seoul [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Law & Company, the operator of the legal service platform Lotok, urged the Korean Bar Association (KBA) to "stop spreading false information and show the demeanor befitting a legal professional organization."

On the 24th, Law & Company stated in a press release, "The KBA released a press statement full of false information and carried out a report that is close to defamation."

Earlier that day, the KBA filed a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission against Law & Company, alleging violations of the Electronic Commerce Act and the Act on Labeling and Advertising by engaging in false, exaggerated, and deceptive advertising targeting consumers. The reason was that Law & Company's 'Premium Lawyer' service, which exposes lawyers who pay a certain amount of money at the top of the site, did not properly inform consumers and inflated the number of member lawyers.

On the other hand, Law & Company emphasized, "Lotok clearly indicated that the space where lawyer advertisements are displayed is an advertising area and transparently disclosed the number of registered lawyer members," adding, "Through an icon on the right side of the advertisement, the phrase 'advertisement display area' was shown. This is the same method used by Naver." They continued, "Even when investigative agencies repeatedly conclude that there is no problem, the KBA executive repeatedly files complaints, interfering with business operations," they added.

Regarding the number of member lawyers, Law & Company stated, "Since its founding, Law & Company has never inflated or concealed the number of lawyer members," and rebutted, "Although the number has recently decreased significantly, this is due to the KBA threatening to discipline those who list their names on Lotok."

Meanwhile, regarding the Ministry of Justice's statement that "Legal tech is an unstoppable trend and change of the times, and we will work on legal and institutional improvements for this," Law & Company said, "We welcome and agree with the Ministry of Justice's forward-looking attitude," and added, "We will continue efforts to innovate the legal service market."

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