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Former Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui Makes a 'Quiet Return' as a Lawyer at a Law Firm

[비즈한국] It has been confirmed that former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui is currently active as a member of a law firm. Former Vice Minister Kim resigned from his post in 2013 following a sex bribery scandal. Although Kim was cleared of charges by the prosecution, he transitioned to working as a lawyer in 2016. While there was significant public sentiment that his registration as a lawyer was inappropriate, the Korean Bar Association granted his registration.

In 2016, former Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui opened an office in a building in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This location was where Law Firm A, which specializes in environmental cases, was based. Kim worked as a lawyer affiliated with Law Firm A. However, the Law Firm A that Kim worked for and the actual Law Firm A share only the name and are registered as different business entities. Nevertheless, due to the fact that Kim used the name 'Law Firm A' and shared office space in the same building, there has been persistent speculation that Kim and Law Firm A share a deep connection.

Law Firm A was founded by Lawyer B, a former practitioner at Law Firm K, considered one of the largest law firms in Korea. Lawyer B is an alumnus of Seoul National University College of Law, the same as former Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui. Lawyer B is renowned as an environmental specialist and has served as a legal advisor to the Ministry of Environment and a member of the Central Environmental Disputes Adjustment Commission.

Law Firm A transitioned into a limited liability law firm in 2024. A law office is essentially a sole proprietorship, whereas a limited liability law firm is a corporate entity. Generally, law offices convert into law firms to enhance professionalism and organizational structure. According to the Attorney-at-Law Act, establishing a law firm requires at least three 'members.' These members must hold legal licenses, and at least one must have over five years of experience.

It has been confirmed that former Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui joined as a member during the process of Law Firm A's conversion. Kim contributed 30 million won in capital to the firm. However, Kim's name cannot be found in the lawyer introduction section of Law Firm A's website. The other two members, excluding Kim, are introduced on the website as representative lawyers.

It is not the case that former Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui merely listed his name with the firm; it has been confirmed that he is currently actively defending cases as a lawyer affiliated with Law Firm A. While Kim previously only used the name of the law firm while operating separately, he is now officially active as a member of the law firm.

Bizhankook attempted to contact Law Firm A several times for comment, but was unable to reach them. Bizhankook sent an email inquiry to Law Firm A on December 27, but had not received a response as of the morning of January 2.