President Lee Jae-myung has appointed attorney Cho Won-chul as head of the Ministry of Government Legislation. Cho, a classmate of Lee’s from judicial training, previously served as his lawyer in the Daejang-dong and perjury instigation cases. The ministry interprets laws and reviews legislation, playing a central role in shaping government bills. Because it settles legal conflicts, political neutrality is essential.
Under the previous administration, the Democratic Party sharply criticized former President Yoon Suk-yeol for appointing attorney Lee Wan-kyu—a college and judicial classmate who had also represented him in court—as head of the same ministry. At the time, the party labeled him “Yoon’s legal bodyguard” and raised conflict of interest concerns. Now in power, President Lee and the ruling Democratic Party have done exactly the same—appointing a classmate and former defense lawyer. The party seems so used to double standards that it no longer sees a problem.
Since his time as opposition leader, President Lee has placed many of his defense lawyers in important roles across the National Assembly, government, and presidential office. Four of these lawyers were elected as lawmakers in last year’s general election. After the presidential election, others were appointed as aides in charge of civil affairs and discipline. The lawyer who defended him in the North Korea remittance case now leads planning at the National Intelligence Service. In total, 12 of Lee’s former lawyers hold senior positions across the government. The presidential office said, “Because the president has faced many legal cases, many lawyers were involved. We can’t exclude them from public service just for giving legal advice.”
Lee’s five trials were effectively suspended when he took office, but they are set to resume after his term ends. Placing his former lawyers across the legislature, executive branch, and presidential office raises suspicions that this is intended to protect the president. More names from his legal team are already being considered for government posts.
The previous administration faced criticism for appointing too many prosecutors close to the president to key government posts. Now, it is Lee’s lawyers who are being placed across various government sectors. This is why people say, “Yoon’s circle has closed shop, and Lee’s law firm has opened for business.”
