"The Media Is Writing Fiction" Kwon Kyung-ae's 'Disappearance' Controversy Angers Bereaved Family

The reports of a 'written pledge' and 'disappearance' regarding attorney Kwon Kyung-ae (58, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 33), who was embroiled in controversy for 'non-attendance at a school violence lawsuit,' are not true, according to the bereaved family.

The appearance of lawyer Kwon Kyung-ae.
Photo by Yonhap News

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On the 8th, Lee Gi-cheol, the mother of the late Park Joo-won, who died from school violence, pointed out via social media (SNS) that "whether it is the media or broadcasting, they are writing novels everywhere."

Previously, a media outlet reported that Attorney Kwon had written a written pledge to the bereaved family promising to compensate 90 million won over three years and then disappeared.

Ms. Lee revealed that she was asked by reporters, "There is a written pledge, what is it?" and explained, "On the day I found out about the withdrawal of the lawsuit, I told him he could not just leave and asked him to write on paper what he did wrong and how he would take responsibility, and (Attorney Kwon) wrote just one line."

She added that after the case became public, she heard that Attorney Kwon's phone was off but managed to contact him, saying, "I asked where he was and if he had eaten, but all I heard was a very faint voice that I could not understand."

She also said, "I told him to eat quickly, regain his strength, come outside, and show responsibility," and Attorney Kwon replied, "I have nothing I can do for you and am too afraid to appear in front of reporters right now."

She expressed frustration, saying, "They say Attorney Kwon is penniless, yet experts appear on various broadcasts saying to file a damages lawsuit. Who doesn't know that? To demand another arduous lawsuit against someone penniless is frustrating."

Meanwhile, the late Park, a victim of school violence, died by suicide in 2015, and Ms. Lee appointed Attorney Kwon as her representative to file a lawsuit against the school corporation and the parents of the perpetrators.

The first trial ruled that one perpetrator's parent, who consistently did not respond to the lawsuit, must pay Ms. Lee 500 million won. However, the claims against the remaining 33 defendants were all dismissed.

The losing perpetrator's parents appealed against Ms. Lee, and Ms. Lee appealed against the remaining defendants, with the second trial ongoing. However, Attorney Kwon failed to attend three court sessions, and Ms. Lee lost the case in November last year. According to the Civil Procedure Act, if a party to an appeal trial does not attend three times, it is considered a withdrawal of the appeal.

As a result, the court dismissed Ms. Lee's appeal under the Civil Procedure Act and accepted the appeal of the perpetrator's parents who had lost in the first trial, overturning the first trial and dismissing Ms. Lee's claims. Ms. Lee learned of this after visiting the office of the law firm Haemir, where Attorney Kwon works, on the 31st of last month.

Consequently, Ms. Lee recently appointed Attorney Yang Seung-chul as her new representative. It is known that she plans to file a damages lawsuit against Attorney Kwon and the law firm Haemir as early as the beginning of the next two weeks. Attorney Yang is reportedly reviewing whether Attorney Kwon can be held responsible for the 'first trial, which lasted over 2,000 days and was partially lost.'

Ms. Lee stated on SNS, "The damages lawsuit has no meaning," but added, "What I want to see here is what judgment the court will make on this matter."

The Korean Bar Association is also taking the matter seriously and plans to initiate disciplinary procedures on the 10th.

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