〇 DR & AJU’s Election Law Center Transforms into a Dedicated Election Law Practice Group
DR & AJU LLC has expanded its former Election Law Center to the Election Law Practice Group. Comprising an Investigation Response Team, a Trial Response Team, and the Election Law Advisory and Educational Research Institute, the Election Law Practice Group provides tailored legal advisory services on an extensive array of issues, ranging from defense against investigations by the National Election Commission, police, and prosecutors, to representation in litigation and trials, and devoted legal consulting for election candidates during the campaign.
〇 A Specialized Investigation Response Team Comprising Former Prosecutors from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s National Security Division
The Investigation Law Practice Group is led by Mr. In Seo OH, who served as Director of the Public Security Planning Division of the Criminal Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Justice and as Departmental Chief Prosecutor of the National Security Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. With a career spanning over 25 years as a prosecutor from 1997 to 2021, Mr. Oh held various key positions, including Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, and Suwon High Prosecutors' Office.
Mr. Dhong Joo KIM, who served as Departmental Chief Prosecutor of the National Security Division 1, 2, and 3 (National Criminal Division) at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, heads the Investigation Response Team. Mr. Kim has extensive experience in investigating numerous cases, including violations of the Public Official Election Act by elected officials and candidates in presidential, parliamentary, and local elections.
Mr. Gyu Jong SONG, who served as National Security Planning Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and as Prosecutor of the National Security Division at the Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office, and Mr. Kook Ryang RYOO, who served as Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and in the National Security Division at the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office, have both joined the Investigation Response Team.
〇 The Trial Response Team Strengthens Its Workforce with the Addition of Former Presiding Judges of the Election Division at the Seoul Central District Court
Mr. Jin Dong KIM, who served as a Presiding Judge of the Election Division at the Seoul Central District Court, heads the Trial Response Team. Mr. Kim has extensive experience adjudicating numerous cases involving defendants accused of violating the Public Official Election Act and has issued rulings on various election-related cases.
Mr. Byung Chul CHOI, a former Presiding Judge of the Election Division at the Seoul Central District Court, has joined the Trial Response Team. Mr. Choi has extensive experience in adjudicating numerous cases involving defendants accused of violating the Public Official Election Act.
In addition, Mr. Yong Seon HYUN, who served as a judge and Chairperson of the Jeju Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, has joined the Trial Response Team. Mr. Hyun has extensive experience in moderating and organizing discussions and debates among candidates for public office.
Other investigation and trial response team members include Partner Mr. Chan Hee LEE, Attorneys Mr. Sang Hwa YOON, Mr. Min Jun KIM, Ms. Da Eun SON
〇 Expertise in Entrusted Elections Fortified with Newly Recruited Senior Advisors
To provide tailored legal consulting for both public official elections and elections entrusted by organizations, DR & AJU Election Law Practice Group includes senior advisors with extensive experience and expertise in these areas. These advisors with various backgrounds include Mr. Sang Boo MOON; the former secretary general of the National Election Commission with practical experience and expertise in both public official elections and entrusted elections; senior advisor Mr. Hae Jin PARK and expert counsel Mr. Sung O KWON, who both worked at the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of Korea; expert counsel Mr. Kyo Sun PARK, who worked at the National Credit Union Federation of Korea; Mr. Choong Ryeol JEON, who was the former secretary general of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee; Mr. Jong Il HEO, who spent over 30 years working at the MG Community Credit Cooperatives; and Mr. Philip Kim, who is an executive director of the Korean Society of Construction Legal Affairs.
〇 An Impressive Track Record Showcasing a Wealth of Experience and Expertise
As the first-ever election-dedicated team established and operated by a South Korean law firm, the DR & AJU Election Law Practice Group stands at the forefront of election dispute resolution. As a pioneer of the field, the Group has handled various election related cases, accumulating a wealth of experience that has enabled the team to acquire a deep and comprehensive understanding of the field. With multifaceted approaches and expertise, the Group provides its clients optimal legal services tailored to individual client needs.
Handles Investigation and Trial Defense under the Public Official Election Act, the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations, and the Political Funds Act.
Represents in legal actions involving complaints and accusations under the Public Official Election Act, the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations, and the Political Funds Act
Represents in a wide range of election-related lawsuits, including nullification lawsuits, requests for adjudication on unconstitutionality, and constitutional complaints
Coaches and provides consulting under the Public Official Election Act, the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations, and the Political Funds Act
Successfully acquitted a member of a political party who was indicted for establishing a facility similar to an election campaign office other than what was permitted by the Public Official Election Act, running an election campaign, and receiving a certain amount for election campaign activities.
Successfully represented the head of the National Election Commission (NEC) in a lawsuit filed by a voter for the annulment of the 20th General Election for proportional representation candidates for using electronic voting machines, winning the case with the election validated.
Represented a provincial member charged with violating the Public Official Election Act for providing food to constituents who attended the general election polling committee and persons associated with them, as well as providing food to local government officials and their relatives. The provincial member was able to keep his position with only a fine of KRW 800,000.
Successfully defended a member of the National Assembly who accompanied a minor singer by chance during a general election campaign and was accused of violating the Public Official Election Act for using a minor in an election campaign. The team’s proactive response during the investigative stage enabled the case to be concluded without prosecution.
Successfully defended a mayor in a case where many accusations and charges were filed against the mayor for making false remarks in a TV debate about the suspicion that the mayor received benefits from developing an area in which the mayor’s relative owned land during his previous term as mayor, stating that he did not know about the development. This case was dismissed without trial.
Successfully defended a mayor who was accused of providing food to employees prior to a local election and making false statements during a panel discussion. The case was dismissed without trial.
Successfully defended a mayor in a case where the mayor was prosecuted without detention on charges of sending self-promotional text messages to voters containing his achievements during the election campaign and organizing promotional events for political purposes. The mayor was acquitted of all charges.
Successfully represented the president of Cooperative F, who was suspected of running an illegal election campaign by conducting election campaign activities at the final polling place after the first round of voting on election day, failing to observe the period of the election campaign, and twice distributing newspaper including his contributions. DR & AJU prevented the issuance of an arrest warrant and ultimately enabled the client to retain his position as the association president with only a fine of KRW 800,000.
Successfully represented the head of an association in Gyeonggi who was charged with violating the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations for hosting a series of meetings in various regions and providing fruit and alcoholic beverages before the election. The head maintained his position with only with a fine of KRW 900,000.
Represented members of an association in Gyeongbuk in a case where the head of the association failed to remove 72 unqualified members despite knowing about their existence, resulting in these unqualified members to be registered in the voter registry. DR & AJU advised the members of the association on prosecuting the head of the association for deceptive entry.
Successfully defended the head of an association in Gyeonggi who was charged with violating the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations for utilizing status or position in election campaigning, such as having the head of the association’s public relations department assess the association head’s eligibility for candidacy, create a draft of an election poster and request a manufacturer to produce the poster, and write specific electoral commitments. The head was fined KRW 900,000, but maintained his position.
Successfully represented the head of an association in Seoul who was charged with violating the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations for using the association’s budget to provide souvenirs, training expenses, various alcoholic beverages, and other benefits to members of farmer organizations and visitors from advanced foreign countries. The case was ultimately not prosecuted thanks to the team’s proactive response during the investigative stage.
Successfully represented the head of an association in Jeonnam who was accused of violating the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations by using the association’s budget to give birthday gifts to association members, congratulatory and condolence money to the families of association members, and medical gift cards and various giveaways. DR & AJU preemptively defended the head of the association in the investigative stage, closing this case without formal charges.
Successfully defended the head of an association in Gyeongbuk who was prosecuted for providing a total of KRW 700,000 worth of goods and property benefits, including KRW 400,000 worth of food and KRW 30,000 worth of gift sets to association members and their families during a picnic involving members of the association and their families. The head was fined KRW 900,000 but maintained his position.
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