AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Eun-mi. Won
  • Former Intelligence Chief Moon Sang-ho Faces Five-Year Sentence for Leaking Agent List
    Former Intelligence Chief Moon Sang-ho Faces Five-Year Sentence for Leaking Agent List The Insurrection Special Prosecutor's team, led by Cho Eun-seok, has requested a five-year prison sentence for former Intelligence Command Chief Moon Sang-ho for allegedly leaking the names of intelligence agents during the martial law declared on December 3. During a sentencing hearing on May 15 at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Hyun-kyung, the prosecution argued for the sentence based on charges of military secret leakage and violations of the Personal Information Protection Act. The prosecution also sought five-year sentences for Kim Bong-kyu, a former head of the Central Newspaper Division (Colonel), and Jeong Seong-wook, a former head of the 100th Brigade's Second Business Division (Colonel), on similar charges. The prosecution stated, "The defendants colluded with civilian Noh Sang-won, a former Intelligence Command Chief, who had no authority to access military information, to participate in the unconstitutional and illegal enforcement of martial law, leading to the leak of military secrets, specifically the list of intelligence agents. The exposure of this list poses a significant risk, as it could make agents direct targets for terrorist groups." They further emphasized, "The defendants were aware that the personal information of agents constituted military secrets and that leaking this information could lead to catastrophic consequences. They neglected their duties and used their subordinates as tools for power rather than protecting them, thereby undermining the foundations of democracy and the rule of law." The prosecution noted that the leaked list was utilized in the formation of the Second Investigation Team, which was created to investigate allegations of election fraud, immediately following the declaration of martial law. They stressed the need for severe accountability. The prosecution explained that the requested sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the defendants' lack of remorse. Moon Sang-ho and others are accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to leak personal information, including the names of approximately 40 intelligence agents, to Noh Sang-won in order to establish an unofficial organization, the Second Investigation Team, to investigate election fraud allegations. Previously, the prosecution had also sought a five-year sentence for former Minister Kim on the same charges. Noh Sang-won, who allegedly received the list of intelligence agents from Kim, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:14:04
  • Kim Yong-hyun Summoned Again Amid Rebellion Charges; Special Prosecutor Pressures Yoon and Former Minister
    Kim Yong-hyun Summoned Again Amid Rebellion Charges; Special Prosecutor Pressures Yoon and Former Minister The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has notified Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense, of a summons scheduled for May 21. According to legal sources, the special prosecutor's team informed Kim that he is to appear as a suspect in a rebellion case under military law. Kim is accused of conspiring with former President Yoon Suk Yeol and others to incite a riot by sending armed soldiers to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission during the declaration of martial law. Kim's team plans to decide whether he will attend the questioning after internal discussions. They argue that the special prosecutor's team is attempting to apply different charges to the same case for which Kim is already under indictment and undergoing trial, claiming this constitutes double investigation and prosecution. Former President Yoon is also asserting that this is a double investigation regarding the same charges. Previously, the special prosecutor's team had summoned Kim on April 29 for questioning related to the rebellion charges. The police special investigation unit had been questioning Kim regarding perjury related to Yoon's impeachment trial, which overlapped with the special prosecutor's investigation, causing it to be postponed. On May 6, the special prosecutor attempted to question Kim regarding charges of organizing a criminal group, but Kim's team submitted a notice of non-attendance. The special prosecutor's team has also notified former President Yoon to appear for questioning on May 23 regarding the rebellion charges, followed by another session on May 26 concerning allegations of abuse of power related to a "justification message for martial law." Kwak Jong-geun, former commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, was summoned for questioning as a suspect for the first time the previous day. The special prosecutor's team has charged Yoon, Kim, and former National Intelligence Service Director Noh Sang-won with rebellion. It remains uncertain whether they will be brought to trial on these charges.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:26:21
  • Adore and Daniels $431 Million Lawsuit Faces Delays in First Hearing
    Adore and Daniel's $431 Million Lawsuit Faces Delays in First Hearing In the first hearing of a $431 million damages lawsuit filed by Adore against former NewJeans member Daniel and former Adore CEO Min Hee-jin, both sides clashed over delays in the proceedings. The court rejected Adore's request to change the hearing date and proceeded as scheduled. The Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 31, presided over by Judge Nam In-soo, held the initial hearing on May 14. Neither Daniel nor Min attended, with only their legal representatives present in court. Adore recently appointed a new legal representative, Lee Han Law Firm, after the previous firm, Kim & Jang, resigned. Following this change, Adore submitted a request to reschedule the hearing on May 8, which the court denied. During the hearing, a dispute arose regarding whether Adore had submitted its plan for proving damages. The court had previously required Adore to submit evidence by April 30, but the submission was not made by the deadline. Adore's representative apologized for the failure to submit the plan but insisted there was no intention to delay the case. They argued that the plaintiff also seeks a prompt resolution and that the proceedings should not restrict the plaintiff's ability to prove their case. In contrast, Daniel's side argued, "After four months of litigation, they changed their legal representation and are trying to restart the case, which seems to waste Daniel's prime time as an idol on legal disputes." They claimed that Adore is targeting only Daniel among NewJeans members with this substantial lawsuit, suggesting an ulterior motive to intimidate other members into compliance. Min's side also criticized the delay in submitting the proof plan while changing representatives, calling it a malicious act that harms the defendants' lives, and requested sanctions from the court. In response, Adore's representatives stated, "We have never interfered with Daniel's activities or had disagreements regarding them," arguing that it is contradictory to claim interference while filing a lawsuit based on contract termination. Daniel's side requested that the trials be separated for each defendant, noting that the legal responsibilities regarding Daniel involve contract violations, while those concerning Daniel's family and Min relate to joint illegal acts, indicating different legal structures. The court stated it would decide on the separation of trials at a later date and reiterated its request for Adore to submit the proof plan and witness requests by June 2. The next hearing is scheduled for June 11 at 2 PM. One of the key issues in this lawsuit is the concept of "tampering." The court noted that tampering is a term closely related to industry practices and indicated the need to examine whether it can be immediately classified as illegal. Both sides were asked to submit lower court precedents and international cases from similar industries for review. Adore filed the lawsuit in December after notifying Daniel of the termination of his exclusive contract, seeking damages, including penalties, totaling $431 million. Previously, on April 30, the court ruled in favor of Adore in a case confirming the validity of the exclusive contract.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 02:29:13
  • Special Prosecutor Summons Kwak Jong-geun as First Suspect in Military Coup Investigation
    Special Prosecutor Summons Kwak Jong-geun as First Suspect in Military Coup Investigation The second Comprehensive Special Investigation Team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, summoned former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-geun on May 14 as a suspect in connection with the state of emergency declared on December 3. This marks the first time the special prosecutor has summoned Kwak as a suspect.The special prosecutor's team is currently investigating Kwak regarding charges of rebellion under the Military Criminal Act, having called him in for questioning at 2 p.m. On March 3, Kwak appeared before the Comprehensive Special Investigation as a witness.Kwak is accused of sending subordinate soldiers to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission to incite riots during the declaration of the state of emergency.The special prosecutor has also implicated former President Yoon Suk Yeol, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and former Director of the Defense Intelligence Command Noh Sang-won in rebellion charges. This is interpreted as the special prosecutor's view that deploying military personnel to state institutions such as the National Assembly constitutes rebellion against the state.However, it remains uncertain whether the special prosecutor can bring these charges to trial.Previously, the Prosecutor's Special Investigation Unit had considered applying rebellion charges against former President Yoon but ultimately decided against it, citing difficulties in prosecution. It was reported that the rationale was that 'it is difficult to apply rebellion charges since the incident involved Yoon, the military commander, as the leader of the insurrection.'Both Yoon and Kim have refused to comply with the special prosecutor's summons, arguing that it constitutes a double investigation of the same case for which they are already facing insurrection charges.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 20:07:33
  • Seum Hosts Startup Investment Negotiation Competition for Law Students
    Seum Hosts Startup Investment Negotiation Competition for Law Students Seum, a law firm specializing in startups, hosted a mock consultation competition for law students to experience practical startup investment negotiations. This initiative comes as the demand for legal advice in the growing AI startup sector increases, sparking interest among aspiring legal professionals in the startup legal field. On May 13, Seum announced it conducted the "2026 Night Where Startups Meet Law - Legal Battle Field" for students from Seoul National University’s Startup Law Society. The event took place at the Woochan Law Building at Seoul National University, attracting over 100 participants, including students from other law schools. The competition was structured around a hypothetical AI startup, with students engaging in negotiations at various stages of investment acquisition. They assumed the role of legal advisors for the startup, negotiating with different types of investors, including angel investors, venture capitalists, private equity firms, and strategic investors from large corporations. Practicing lawyers took on the role of investors. The competition comprised four rounds, covering the startup growth process from the Seed stage to Pre-Series A, Series A, and Pre-IPO. Lawyers from Seum served as mentors for about a month, guiding student teams in contract structuring and negotiation strategies. Attorney Moon Han-kyu, who oversaw the event, noted, "Students found it particularly challenging to identify 'compromise points' during the actual negotiation process." He emphasized that beyond constructing legal arguments, practical skills in reaching realistic agreements between startups and investors were crucial. Recent changes in the startup market were also reflected in the event's theme. Seum explained, "There has been a noticeable increase in legal inquiries related to AI during the startup consultation process." Consequently, this year's event was centered around investment negotiations for AI startups. Interest among law students has reportedly increased compared to previous years. Attorney Moon remarked, "Attendance has grown compared to last year, and discussions with students reveal a heightened interest in the startup legal field." The event featured Jung Ho-seok, the representative attorney of Seum, as the head judge, with support from the Startup Division of the Korean Corporate Counsel Association (KICA) and the Young Entrepreneurs Network Prism Mentorship Club.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 15:52:05
  • Law Firm Gwangjang to Discuss Stock Price Control Prevention Law Strategies
    Law Firm Gwangjang to Discuss Stock Price Control Prevention Law Strategies Law Firm Gwangjang announced on May 14 that it will conduct a lecture on May 22 for KOSDAQ members, focusing on key legal issues affecting corporate management and capital markets, including the mandatory cancellation of treasury stocks and the so-called "stock price control prevention law." The lecture aims to assess corporate management risks arising from recent changes in commercial law and capital market regulations and to share response strategies. It will consist of three sessions: mandatory cancellation of treasury stocks, the stock price control prevention law, and the reform of the delisting system. In the first session, attorney Kim Tae-jung from the M&A group will present on "Mandatory Cancellation of Treasury Stocks Under the Third Amendment to the Commercial Law and Response Strategies." Amid ongoing discussions in political and market circles regarding the use of treasury stocks for maintaining control and defending management rights, he will explain key issues of the amended commercial law and practical response measures from the perspectives of corporate governance and financing. The second session will feature attorney Kim Sang-hoon from the tax group, who will discuss "The Purpose and Impact of the Stock Price Control Prevention Law." This law aims to prevent major shareholders from intentionally keeping corporate stock prices low to reduce inheritance and gift tax burdens, which is part of ongoing discussions regarding amendments to inheritance and gift tax laws. In the political arena, there are ongoing discussions about supplementing tax standards to reflect not only the market price but also net asset values for companies with excessively low price-to-book ratios (PBR). The lecture is expected to focus on how these regulatory changes will impact corporate shareholder return policies and succession strategies. In the final session, advisor Song Young-hoon, who previously served as the deputy head of the KRX's securities market division and the KOSDAQ market division, will present on "Reform of the Delisting System and Key Considerations." He plans to introduce the direction of the delisting system reform and practical application cases from the exchange, as well as outline the response measures that listed companies should be aware of. A representative from Gwangjang stated, "We hope this lecture will help KOSDAQ members effectively respond to legal and regulatory changes and establish a stable management environment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:25:58
  • Special Prosecutors Launch Investigation into Presidential Office Relocation Audit
    Special Prosecutors Launch Investigation into Presidential Office Relocation Audit The second comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, has begun a formal inquiry into allegations surrounding the relocation of the presidential office and residence during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The investigation focuses on whether there were any illegal activities during the audit conducted by the Board of Audit and Inspection from 2022 to 2024. In a press release on May 14, the special prosecutor's office stated, "We are investigating whether there were any illegalities in the audit process regarding the relocation of the presidential office and residence," adding that they executed search warrants at four locations, including the Board of Audit and Inspection and three residences, starting at 9 a.m. Details regarding the specific targets of the searches or the nature of the allegations remain undisclosed due to the ongoing investigation. Following his election, President Yoon Suk Yeol relocated the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan and the presidential residence to the former minister of foreign affairs' residence. Allegations of favoritism and illegalities arose concerning the selection of construction firms and budget execution, prompting the Board of Audit and Inspection to conduct an audit, the results of which were released last year. The Board of Audit and Inspection determined that 21gram, the company overseeing the residence construction, began work before the contract was signed and subcontracted to multiple unqualified firms, violating the Construction Industry Basic Law. However, the core allegations regarding how 21gram was awarded the contract remain unresolved, leading to criticism of a flawed audit. The special prosecutor's office plans to investigate whether the Board of Audit and Inspection failed to adequately examine the circumstances surrounding the awarding of the construction contract and budget execution based on the materials obtained during the searches. Additionally, the special prosecutor's office is looking into potential connections between 21gram and Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of President Yoon. 21gram sponsored exhibitions organized by Kim's company, Kovana Contents, and was also responsible for the design and construction of her office. Allegations of personal connections between Kim and the company's representatives have also surfaced. Reports indicate that 21gram demanded payment for construction costs without objective evidence, and government budget allocations were executed without proper verification or adjustments, following directives from the presidential office. According to the Construction Industry Basic Law, a comprehensive construction license is required for expansion and structural reinforcement work; however, 21gram is only registered as an interior construction company, raising legal concerns over its involvement in the residence expansion project. It has also been confirmed that 21gram received over 1.4 billion won in construction payments before the completion inspection was conducted. The special prosecutor's office is expanding its investigation based on suspicions of illegal budget reallocations during this process. Furthermore, Yoon Jae-soon, the former chief secretary to the president, has been summoned for questioning as a suspect in the abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. He is accused of being involved in budget reallocations and payment processes during the relocation of the residence. The special prosecutor's office previously questioned Kim O-jin, the former deputy minister of land, infrastructure, and transport, as a suspect and plans to interrogate Kim Dae-ki, the former chief of staff to the president, on May 15. Relevant materials were secured through searches of related departments, including the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. 2026-05-14 12:11:28
  • Prosecutors Seek 1.5-Year Sentence for Businessman in Kim Geon-hee Case
    Prosecutors Seek 1.5-Year Sentence for Businessman in Kim Geon-hee Case The special investigation team led by Prosecutor Min Joong-ki has requested a 1.5-year prison sentence for businessman Seo Seong-bin, who is accused of providing a luxury watch to Kim Geon-hee in exchange for favors related to a robot dog business. The prosecution argues that Seo exploited his friendship with the presidential couple for business gains, while Seo's defense contends that it was merely a purchase on behalf of Kim, with no solicitation involved. During a sentencing hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on May 13, the prosecution sought a 1.5-year sentence for Seo, who is facing charges of violating the anti-bribery law as the CEO of Drone Dome. The prosecution stated, "Seo Seong-bin actively flaunted his connections with Kim Geon-hee and Yoon Suk Yeol, using them for business purposes. The entire operation was predicated on his relationship with the presidential couple." They further argued, "The defendant claims that providing the watch was merely a purchase on behalf of Kim, but this explanation is difficult to accept based on common sense. It is extremely rare for a private businessman to give a luxury watch worth tens of millions of won to the spouse of a public official without any vested interest." The prosecution also noted, "There is no evidence that Kim Geon-hee paid for the watch or intended to do so, making it hard to view this as a simple purchase on behalf of someone else." They believe Seo was aware that his actions could be problematic, citing that the watch's warranty was kept at the residence of Kim's brother-in-law. They argued, "This does not suggest a normal business transaction." Seo was indicted for allegedly handing over a Vacheron Constantin wristwatch valued at 39.9 million won to Kim Geon-hee at a restaurant in Seocho-gu, Seoul, in September 2022. The prosecution claims that Seo pursued a government contract for the robot dog project based on his friendship with Kim and secured a pilot operation contract worth 17 million won with the Presidential Security Service. In his closing argument, Seo's defense stated, "I clearly received a request to buy the watch, and I received 5 million won that day. The remaining payment was to be received later." They added, "It was difficult to demand payment due to the chaotic situation after the coup, and we request a not guilty verdict." Seo also expressed regret in his final statement, saying, "I wonder if there was another way to handle the purchase itself, but I have never solicited or flattered anyone in my life." Kim Geon-hee is also facing allegations of receiving money and valuables in exchange for public office solicitation, alongside Seo and others. A decision regarding Kim is expected on May 15, with sentencing for Seo and others scheduled for June 26.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-13 18:33:28
  • Special Prosecutors Office Marks 75 Days of Investigation with Limited Progress
    Special Prosecutor's Office Marks 75 Days of Investigation with Limited Progress The second comprehensive special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, marked its 75th day of investigation on May 11. As the investigation period, set for a maximum of 150 days, reaches its halfway point, search and seizure operations and witness interrogations continue. However, the team has yet to secure the detention of key suspects or move to the indictment stage. The special prosecutor is focusing on the investigation into the alleged conspiracy to commit murder for rebellion related to the 'Noh Sang-won notebook' in hopes of finding a breakthrough. Since its launch on February 25, the special prosecutor's office announced its first investigation results last week. It cleared Kim Kwan-young, the former governor of North Jeolla Province, and Oh Young-hoon, the governor of Jeju Province, of charges related to the martial law situation on December 3, citing a lack of evidence to support the allegations. The case against Kim was initiated following a complaint from the Justice Innovation Party, but the special prosecutor determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims. Similarly, the case against Oh was closed without further judgment, as no new evidence emerged since the previous investigation into the rebellion last year. While these two cases were deemed to have relatively limited issues compared to other major allegations under investigation, it took nearly two months to reach a conclusion. Legal experts note that although forced investigations and data collection are ongoing, there has been little clear progress toward interrogating key suspects or moving toward indictments. Some observers have pointed out that this contrasts with the earlier special investigation teams, which sought to secure the detention of key suspects, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Geon-hee, from the outset. The comprehensive special prosecutor's office has also been investigating allegations of complicity in rebellion involving the Joint Chiefs of Staff leadership and claims of covering up the investigation into Kim Geon-hee, but has not yet moved to request arrest warrants or indictments against major suspects. During a briefing on the same day, the special prosecutor's office stated that related investigations are ongoing. They are continuing searches at the Gwangju Center of the National Intelligence Resource Management Agency related to former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung's allegations of important duties in rebellion and abuse of power. Additionally, after the Supreme Prosecutors' Office refused to submit materials for a constitutional respect task force, they executed a search warrant to secure relevant documents. In connection with the allegations of covering up the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, the prosecutor's office is also conducting witness interrogations of the prosecutors involved in the investigation at that time. Furthermore, searches have been conducted regarding the allegations of Kim Geon-hee receiving a Dior bag. The special prosecutor's office is also pursuing allegations of complicity in rebellion within the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They reported conducting the first suspect interrogation of a Joint Chiefs of Staff official last week. In relation to the blacklist allegations involving the Military Counterintelligence Command, they executed a verification warrant to check personnel information databases. Recently, the focus has shifted significantly to the investigation related to the 'Noh Sang-won notebook.' Following verification at facilities in Yeonpyeong on May 6 and in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, on May 8, the special prosecutor's office is examining whether these locations could have served as detention sites for key figures listed in the notebook. The special prosecutor's office explained that the verification aims to confirm whether the facilities have the structure and environment suitable for use as detention sites. This is part of their efforts to substantiate the allegations against former Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won regarding conspiracy to commit murder for rebellion. The investigation has also expanded to include charges against former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Noh for organizing a criminal group. In the legal community, opinions are divided on the effectiveness of applying additional charges to already indicted facts related to rebellion. Given the broad scope of the investigation, there are calls for focused efforts in the remaining time. Additionally, the special prosecutor's office is looking into allegations of preferential treatment in the Yangpyeong Expressway project, the cover-up of gambling investigations involving the Unification Church, and illegal budget execution related to the relocation of the presidential office. Kim O-jin, former first vice minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is scheduled to be investigated on May 13, followed by Yoon Jae-soon, former chief secretary to the president, on May 14, and Kim Dae-ki, former head of the presidential office, on May 15, all for abuse of power. However, it is anticipated that investigations involving related parties and data collection will take considerable time, raising concerns about the potential for prolonged investigations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 16:45:08
  • Supreme Court Confirms 3-Year Sentence for Legal Broker Linked to Geonjin Beopsa
    Supreme Court Confirms 3-Year Sentence for Legal Broker Linked to Geonjin Beopsa A legal broker linked to Geonjin Beopsa, Lee Mo, has received a confirmed three-year prison sentence. This marks the first case in which the Supreme Court has finalized a sentence related to the special investigation team (involving insurrection, Kim Geon-hee, and deceased Marines). According to Yonhap News on May 11, the Supreme Court's first division, led by Justice Seo Kyung-hwan, upheld the original ruling that sentenced Lee to three years in prison and imposed a fine of 400 million won for charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. In criminal cases, if the grounds for an appeal are deemed improper, the court may reject the appeal without further deliberation. This applies in cases where no appeal brief is submitted, claims of disproportionate sentencing are made despite a sentence of less than ten years, or when a defendant admits to the crime but disputes the facts. Lee was arrested and indicted in August of last year for allegedly accepting 400 million won in exchange for promises to secure a not guilty verdict in court by leveraging connections with influential figures, including the president and prominent politicians from the People Power Party, as well as high-ranking legal professionals. The Kim Geon-hee special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki, viewed Lee as a broker who facilitated connections between individuals seeking to suppress investigations or influence court proceedings and Geonjin Beopsa. In the first trial, all charges against Lee were found guilty, resulting in a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 400 million won. Both the special investigation team and Lee's side appealed the decision, but the second trial increased the sentence to three years while maintaining the fine amount. The second trial court noted, "If the public suspects that judicial procedures are influenced by external improper pressures or transactions, the mere existence of such suspicion can undermine the rule of law and critically damage the fairness of criminal procedures." The court further stated, "The defendant's actions constitute a serious crime that undermines public trust in the independence of the judiciary and the fairness of trials, which are the last bastions of the rule of law. Therefore, a severe punishment is warranted." Despite repeated appeals from Lee's side, the Supreme Court deemed the grounds for the appeal improper and decided to reject it.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 15:01:41