Court Upholds Suspects Right to an Attorney

The Seoul District Court(SDC) ruled on April 1, that the government must pay 2 million won to a lawyer, Kim Do Hyeong, because he was prevented from meeting two clients being held in police custody.
The court's judgement stated that because one of the primary constitutional rights for individuals is the right to consult with a lawyer it is illegal for the police to reject an attorney's reasonable application to meet with his client. This right extends to those under arrest or detained by the police.
Mr. Kim went to the Kwanak police station in Seoul in November 1997 and requested to meet two students from Seoul National University who were being held on charges of violating the national security law. However, the police rejected his application, adding that their investigation would be impeded if the suspects were allowed to consult with their lawyer.
Jangsoo Seo : jsbee@Joongang.co.kr