Legal Community Also Faces Aftermath of Kakao Incident... Signs of Rekindled Conflict Between Bar Association and LawTalk

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The demand for improvement in the platform market monopoly, which surfaced due to the 'Kakao outage incident,' is now sweeping through the legal community as well. At the center of this is the legal service platform 'LawTalk,' and the conflict with the Korean Bar Association (KBA) appears to be escalating once again.

The KBA has recently taken steps over the past three days to pressure LawTalk. According to the legal community on the 19th, the KBA launched the 'Proper Platform Policy Alliance' on the 17th at the Yongsan temporary hall, signing a business agreement with the Korean Medical Association, Korean Dental Association, Korean Bar Association, and Korean Institute of Architects, and began collective action. Then, the day before, the KBA imposed disciplinary actions with fines up to 3 million KRW on nine lawyers who joined and were active on LawTalk, citing 'violation of association rules' among other reasons. This is the first time the KBA has disciplined lawyers related to LawTalk. A lawyer in Seocho-dong commented on the sudden disciplinary action, saying, "It seems the KBA is trying to take advantage of the recent heated atmosphere demanding improvements to the monopoly in the platform market."

The KBA maintains its stance that the services provided by LawTalk constitute a 'monopoly in the legal market and platform,' and insists on blocking it. Despite the Constitutional Court ruling in May that the KBA's regulations prohibiting lawyers from advertising through organizations that advertise, promote, or introduce lawyers for economic gain were unconstitutional, the KBA has not changed its position, leading to the current situation. Instead, the KBA interprets that "most of the key provisions applied in the disciplinary claims against member lawyers have been judged constitutional," asserting there is no problem in proceeding with the disciplinary process.

Some legal professional organizations have also expressed support for the KBA's claims, lending strength to their position. The Korean Legal Professionals Association stated on the 17th, "The (Kakao) data center fire incident revealed the necessity of public ownership to dismantle platform monopolies and promote competition," and "especially, lawyer introduction platforms require strong public ownership to prevent private monopoly and lawyer dependency," effectively targeting LawTalk.

Law & Company, which operates LawTalk, has shown a firm stance against the KBA's disciplinary actions, indicating that the conflict is likely to deepen. Law & Company stated, "The disciplinary actions against lawyers using LawTalk only exacerbate the illegality," and "we will respond to the end by all means." The Venture Business Association also expressed agreement, stating, "Disciplinary actions against lawyers using the service, aimed at prohibiting lawful innovative services, and acts that continuously hinder the market settlement and growth of innovative enterprise services must stop."

If the conflict escalates further, the Ministry of Justice may intervene as a mediator. However, unlike during former Minister Park Beom-gye's tenure, the Ministry of Justice under Minister Han Dong-hoon has taken a step back regarding the conflict between the KBA and LawTalk, making the possibility of intervention uncertain at present. Minister Han said in an interview with reporters after visiting the Korean Bar Association on July 29, "The Constitutional Court decision has been made, and I understand there are various interpretations and positions on it," adding, "We will make appropriate decisions following the necessary procedures."

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