Court: "Assemblyman Kim Hong-gul, 'Unpaid Lawyer Fees'... Additional Payment of 100 Million Won in Legal Fees"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The court ruled that independent lawmaker Kim Hong-gul must pay additional legal fees to the law firm after failing to pay part of the criminal case retainer fee.

The Civil Division 29 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Han Jeong-seok) ruled on the 16th in a contract money claim lawsuit filed by law firm A against Representative Kim, stating, "The defendant shall pay the plaintiff 100 million won," partially ruling in favor of the plaintiff.

The court stated, "The claim for success fees by the plaintiff is not accepted, and only the hourly fee claim is partially accepted."

Earlier, ahead of the 2020 general election, Representative Kim was prosecuted for allegedly omitting his spouse's commercial land and apartment lease deposit in the 'Public Official Election Candidate Property' declaration process (violation of the Public Official Election Act).

Law firm A, known to have handled the first trial defense in this case, filed a contract money claim lawsuit worth approximately 253 million won, stating that "Representative Kim did not pay the agreed fees." It was claimed that although Representative Kim paid an initial fee of 80 million won and agreed to additional fees depending on the progress of the lawsuit, he did not fulfill this agreement.

In the trial, Representative Kim's side argued, "An initial fee of 80 million won was paid during the approximately four-month first trial process," adding, "If an excessive claim is made again, it must be proven that additional time and effort were invested, but based on the plaintiff's claims alone, the work was covered within the scope."

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