Hearing Without Jeong Sun-shin... Son on Military Leave, Song Gaedong Lawyer Attends

Hearing of Jeong Sun-shin at the Education Committee on the 14th, All Three Family Members of Lawyer Jeong Absent
'Mobilization Order' Measures Also Unlikely... Son in Military on Leave for Hearing
Lawyer Song, Representing Appeal Against School Violence Disposition, Attends

On the 14th, at the National Assembly, the 'Jeong Sun-shin Hearing' will take place. Attorney Jeong Sun-shin will not attend, but Attorney Song Gae-dong, who represented Jeong's son in a lawsuit challenging a school violence disciplinary action, has decided to attend.

Attorney Song previously submitted a letter of absence along with Attorney Jeong for the hearing on the 31st of last month and did not attend, causing the hearing to be disrupted. As a result, the Jeong Sun-shin hearing was postponed by two weeks, but this time, both Attorney Jeong and additional witnesses?Jeong's wife and son?have expressed their intention not to attend citing 'mental incapacity.' Therefore, questions at tomorrow's hearing are expected to focus on Attorney Song and others.

Additionally, the Democratic Party stated that in the case of Jeong's son, who submitted a letter of absence, they would summon him to the hearing even by issuing a military escort order. However, it has been confirmed that Jeong's son, currently serving in the military, is on leave. The Democratic Party plans to investigate the circumstances surrounding his military leave ahead of the hearing.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th, Kim Young-ho, the opposition whip of the National Assembly's Education Committee, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "Although Attorney Jeong will not attend the hearing tomorrow (14th), the hearing will proceed as scheduled," adding, "We will focus questions on key witnesses including Attorney Song." The witnesses who appeared on the 31st of last month are expected to attend again. With Attorney Song, who previously submitted a letter of absence, also attending, the hearing is expected to focus on Attorney Song, Han Man-wi, principal of Minsago High School, Ko Eun-jung, principal of Seoul Banpo High School, and the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education.

The Democratic Party pressured to summon Attorney Jeong, his wife, and son by all possible means including escort orders, but it is likely to end with a complaint filing.

Representative Kim said, "Since Jeong's son is currently serving in the military, we considered going directly to the military base located in Gangwon Province to issue an escort order," adding, "However, it has been confirmed that he is currently on leave. It is necessary to determine whether this is a regular leave or a special leave ahead of the hearing." He explained that if the Ministry of National Defense granted leave in accordance with the Jeong Sun-shin hearing schedule, it could raise another controversy over preferential treatment.

On the same day, Representative An Min-seok, also a member of the Education Committee, said on YTN Radio in the morning, "(Jeong's) son is in the military but seems to be on leave this week," adding, "It seems the family is currently in hiding somewhere."

He continued, "In that case, a detention warrant cannot be served, nor can a summons be delivered," and emphasized, "Even without Attorney Jeong, it has been decided to proceed with the hearing tomorrow. However, this is not the end; there is the upcoming National Assembly inspection. Witness requests can be made then, and if they do not appear, an escort order can be issued according to the law. It is not over until it is over."

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