Lee Jae-myung, Suspected of Violating the 'Improper Solicitation and Graft Act'... Legal Team Accepts 'Pro Bono' Defense

Free Legal Representation for Election Law Lawsuits
Anti-Corruption Commission "Does Not Judge Whether Specific Individuals Violate the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act"

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, captured screen of Delhi Democracy. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung has come under criticism for allegedly violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act after it was revealed that he received pro bono legal representation in an election law violation lawsuit.

Previously, Governor Lee received free legal defense from some lawyers who participated in his 'election law violation lawsuit' without paying legal fees. According to JTBC, from 2018 to 2020, over 30 lawyers from prominent law firms participated as defense counsel in Lee's lawsuits, and some of them provided pro bono representation.

Attorney Choi, who took part in the lawsuit, told JTBC in a phone interview, "Lee's side asked for help in forming the defense team, so I helped, but I did not receive any payment."

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) reportedly stated that "even if there is no relation to official duties, if an economic benefit exceeding 1 million won is received, it could constitute a violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act." However, they clarified that this was a general legal interpretation and not a specific explanation regarding Governor Lee's case.

The head of the ACRC's Anti-Corruption Bureau, responsible for interpreting the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, stated in a press release on the 27th, "We have not received any official request for interpretation, and without being able to verify specific facts through official procedures, we do not judge whether a particular individual has violated the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act."

Meanwhile, Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act stipulates, "Public officials, regardless of whether the matter is related to their duties or the name of donation, sponsorship, or gift, shall not receive, request, or promise money or valuables exceeding 1 million won per occasion or 3 million won per fiscal year from the same person."

Additionally, Article 8, Paragraph 2 states, "Public officials shall not receive, request, or promise money or valuables below the amount specified in Paragraph 1 in relation to their duties, regardless of whether there is compensation."

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