Cha Gyugeun Loses First Trial in Lawsuit Against State Over 'Detention Center Human Rights Violation'

Cha Gyugeun, a member of the Party for National Innovation, filed a lawsuit against the government claiming that his human rights were violated while he was in a detention center in connection with the illegal travel ban imposed on former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hakui. However, he lost the case in the first trial.

Cha Gyugeun, member of the Party for National Innovation. Photo by Yonhap News

On April 24, Judge Kim Youngsoo of the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 71 held a sentencing hearing for the damages claim lawsuit filed by Cha against the government. The judge ruled, "The plaintiff's claim is dismissed. The plaintiff shall bear the litigation costs," delivering a verdict against the plaintiff. The court did not provide any specific reasons for the ruling during the hearing.

In March 2021, while Cha was under investigation for the illegal travel ban case involving former Vice Minister Kim, a detention warrant was requested but was dismissed by the Suwon District Court, leading to his release. Cha underwent a substantive warrant review and waited for the result at the Suwon Detention Center. According to Cha, during this process, he was made to wear clothing similar to that worn by ordinary inmates, had his fingerprints taken, and was subjected to a so-called "mugshot" photograph, all of which caused him to feel humiliation and shame.

As a result, in February last year, Cha filed a damages lawsuit against the government, demanding compensation of approximately 30 million won, claiming that he experienced humiliation and shame while in the detention center.

Meanwhile, Cha was indicted in April 2021 for his involvement in the illegal travel ban case against former Vice Minister Kim, but was acquitted in both the first and second trials.

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