Legal Representation Secured Amid Marine Corps Investigation

In connection with the 'rescue lobbying' allegations involving former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun, Kim Jang-hwan (91), Chairman of Far East Broadcasting, and Lee Young-hoon (71), Senior Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, have appointed lawyers Kim Hoe-jae and Kang Chan-woo for legal representation. Both lawyers are former prosecutors with connections to current government officials, including President Lee Jae-myung.

The allegations stem from the death of Corporal Chae Soo-geun in July-August 2023, during which Lim was initially included as a suspect in negligent homicide but was later excluded. On July 18, the Marine Corps Special Investigation Team conducted searches at the homes and churches of Kim and Lee, who are considered witnesses in the case. Following the searches, they sought legal counsel.

Kim Hoe-jae, representing Kim, previously served as the Chief Prosecutor of Uijeongbu, while Kang Chan-woo, representing Lee, was the Chief Prosecutor of Suwon. Both lawyers are known to have ties with current government figures. Kim Hoe-jae was a member of the Democratic Party during the 21st National Assembly and ran in the party's primary for the 22nd National Assembly elections last year but was unsuccessful. Kang Chan-woo, a classmate of President Lee at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, provided legal assistance during the investigation of a public election law violation case in 2018 when Lee was the governor of Gyeonggi Province.

Kim Hoe-jae has been the lead attorney at law firm LKB, while Kang Chan-woo has led law firm Pyeongsan. Notably, LKB and Pyeongsan merged last month. Kim is a Protestant, while Kang is a Catholic. On July 20, Kang claimed that the Marine Corps Special Investigation Team deprived him of his right to legal assistance and did not provide any information regarding the protection of his rights. In response, the Special Investigation Team stated that there were no procedural violations. A legal expert commented that the respected figures in the religious community, despite being witnesses, opted to appoint legal representation to actively exercise their right to defense after being subjected to searches.