Kim Man-bae's Side "Prosecution Violates Attorney-Client Meeting Rights"... Prosecution "Lawful Investigation" Rebuttal

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, Kim Man-bae, raised an objection in court, claiming that "the right to meet with his lawyer is being violated due to the prosecution's investigation."

Kim's lawyer stated at the trial of the Daejang-dong group’s breach of trust case held on the 27th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22 (Presiding Judge Lee Jun-cheol), "Since Kim was detained in the early morning of the 18th for another case, he has not been able to meet with his lawyer," adding, "This is a violation of the constitutional right to meet and communicate with counsel."

Kim was re-arrested three months after his release on charges of concealing 34 billion KRW of criminal proceeds earned from the Daejang-dong development (violation of the Act on the Regulation and Punishment of Criminal Proceeds Concealment), among other charges.

Kim's lawyer said, "Two meetings were canceled, and the detention center said they were canceled due to the prosecution's investigation," and requested, "We ask the prosecution to establish measures to prevent such situations from recurring and the court to provide appropriate trial guidance."

In response, the prosecution argued, "Currently, Kim is under investigation for a separate case unrelated to this trial," and stated, "It is inappropriate to claim a violation of the right to defense regarding a lawful detention investigation."

They further protested, "The investigation team should be informed and schedules coordinated, but it is inappropriate to make such remarks in the courtroom of a separate trial."

The court said, "Since the defendant and lawyer’s right to meet and communicate must be guaranteed, prosecutors should convey the defendant’s difficulties to the investigation team and ensure coordination."

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