[Law Firm Now] Law Firm Cheong Operates 'Criminal Crime Research Institute'... 13 Years Dedicated Solely to Criminal Cases Research

Specialized in Advanced Financial Securities Cases such as 'Virtual Currency, Unlisted Stocks, and Similar Deposit Schemes'
One-Stop Response Possible Even When Leading to Tax Issues

Representative Attorney Gwak Junho (center) of the Criminal Crime Task Force at Cheong Law Firm and affiliated attorneys
[Photo by Cheong Law Firm]

Advanced financial securities cases involving virtual currency coins and unlisted stocks are difficult for even criminal defense attorneys to devise defense strategies without a deep understanding of the relevant assets.

Law Firm Cheong has established a ‘Criminal Crime Research Institute’ to respond to financial securities cases and gambling-related cases, dedicating itself to the study and analysis of related cases. By analyzing a vast database of precedents and the latest practical trends, it presents defense strategies that can be utilized in investigations and trials.

Led by criminal defense attorney Junho Kwak, who has 13 years of experience in criminal cases and passed the bar exam in its 2nd session, over ten affiliated attorneys organize task force (TF) teams for each case to respond professionally. Unlike law firms where multiple lead attorneys operate on a virtually independent profit-and-loss basis, this firm is fully led by Attorney Kwak, who heads the entire criminal crime dedicated team. Attorney Jongseok Kwak, who served as a presiding judge at Masan District Court, Busan District Court, and as a judicial research officer at the Supreme Court, acts as an advisor providing in-depth legal counsel.

Large-scale advanced financial securities cases and gambling-related cases often involve compulsory investigations from the early stages of investigation, making the swift establishment of defense strategies crucial. These cases frequently have complex accomplice relationships, and if statements among parties are inconsistent, unnecessary details may be revealed, increasing the likelihood of expanded charges. Since conflicts of interest often arise, coordinating the opinions of involved parties is also essential.

The Criminal Crime Dedicated Team at Law Firm Cheong immediately conducts ‘meetings and consultations with the defendant’s counsel and the responsible police investigators’ as soon as the investigation begins to understand the case details and take the initiative in relations with investigative agencies. At the same time, they analyze the possibility of arrest warrant requests, prepare for warrant hearings, and develop response strategies for remaining related parties, ensuring that the client undergoes investigation and trial under the most favorable conditions.

Attorney Kwak stated, "Advanced financial securities cases often involve tax issues," adding, "With my experience as a national tax review committee member at frontline tax offices, legal advisor at regional tax offices, and adjunct professor at the National Tax Officials Training Institute, I am capable of providing one-stop responses to tax cases."

Through such meticulous responses, the firm has achieved favorable outcomes in major financial cases reported in the media, including the complete acquittal of the CEO of Koal Coin on fraud charges involving approximately 21 billion KRW, dismissal of fraud charges against a middle investor recruiter for QRC Bank, and a suspended sentence in the appellate trial of the CEO of ‘Papyosi Exchange.’

Attorney Kwak said, “We provide defense strategies based on meticulous legal interpretation while reflecting practical atmospheres rather than being overly theoretical,” adding, “Although many law firms claim to specialize in criminal law, we will fulfill the role of a true criminal law firm that exclusively researches and handles criminal cases related to finance.”

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