[Interview] Attorney Kim Kimoon: "The Key to Resolving Injustice Lies Not in the Law, but in the Truth of the Field"

Combining Over 20 Years of Sharp Investigative Insight as a Prosecutor with Expertise in Labor Law
Relentless Effort in Securing a Not-Guilty Verdict on Appeal in a Case with a Three-Year Prison Sentence in the First Trial
Emphasizing, "Concrete Practical Experience in the Field, Not Abstract Legal Theory, Determines the Outcome"

As modern legal disputes become increasingly complex, the role of "practical attorneys"—those who move beyond merely interpreting statutes to grasping the real context of cases and building evidence—is growing in importance.

Accordingly, the career of Kim Kimoon, Chief Attorney at Onse Law Firm, who combines extensive investigative experience as a former prosecutor with expertise in labor law, is drawing attention within the legal community.

Kim Kimoon, Chief Attorney at Onse Law Firm

◆ Insights from an On-the-Ground Expert: Changing the Landscape of Labor Cases

Attorney Kim Kimoon is widely recognized as an expert in labor law.

He does not limit his work to simply representing his clients' claims. Since 2022, he has served as a public interest commissioner at the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission, directly adjudicating cases such as unfair dismissal and claims for correction of discrimination.

Attorney Kim explains, "You cannot get to the heart of a labor case unless you understand the unique nature of labor-management relations and the dynamics of the workplace." He adds, "My experience as an arbitrator, having handled countless cases, has become a decisive asset in identifying the key issues that determine the outcome for my clients."

◆ The Tenacity of a 20-Year Prosecutor: The Power to Overturn a 'Guilty' Verdict to 'Not Guilty'

His true value is especially apparent in criminal cases.

Having served in the prosecution for over 20 years—including as a senior prosecutor—he possesses sharp insight into the flow of investigations.

A prime example is a fraud case in which a three-year prison sentence was handed down in the first trial.

Attorney Kim took charge of the appeal, re-examined the case from the ground up, and relentlessly probed the weaknesses in evidence that others had overlooked.

As a result, he completely reconstructed the facts of the case and secured a dramatic not-guilty verdict in the second trial.

This case is regarded as proof of his belief that "injustice is not resolved by the words of the law, but by relentless perseverance."

◆ Inheritance and Reserved Portion Disputes: Achieving Victories with Precise Data Analysis

Attorney Kim's practical approach shines even in inheritance cases, where family emotions often run high.

One notable case involved successfully countering the opposing party's claim for a 70% contribution based on having cared for the deceased's father, by presenting concrete evidence that the decedent was a public pension recipient, thus achieving a logical victory.

In addition, he has demonstrated outstanding expertise in inheritance matters by meticulously applying the latest precedents to defend his clients' rights in lawsuits regarding claims for return of the reserved portion.

◆ "The Law Is Not Static Words but a Living Record of Life"

Throughout the interview, Attorney Kim Kimoon repeatedly emphasized the importance of "practical experience" and "fieldwork."

He stated, "In legal disputes that reflect the lives of clients, attorneys are not merely transmitters of legal knowledge, but architects who translate the truth of the field into the language of the law."

He continued, "While the words within the law are cold, the process of resolving the underlying injustices requires passionate tenacity. I will continue to dedicate the practical skills I have accumulated in the prosecution and at the Labor Relations Commission entirely to the service of my clients."

Chief Attorney Kim Kimoon is a practical legal professional with experience in both the prosecution and administrative agencies.

He has served as Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Bucheon Branch of Incheon District Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, as well as Chief Prosecutor of the Major Economic Crimes Investigation Team at Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, spending over 20 years at the forefront of criminal investigations.

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