Lawyer Claims Protester Expressed Admiration for Former Minister Kim Yong-hyun

Lawyer Lee Ha-sang, who is defending former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, stated that he heard a young man at a protest rally express admiration for his client. The rally was held at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul, the site of ongoing protests related to alleged election irregularities.

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Are you well, Minister Kim Yong-hyun?

Lee recounted on his YouTube live broadcast that a young man approached him at the rally, asking about Kim Yong-hyun's well-being. Upon hearing Kim was well, the young man revealed he was an alumnus of the Korea Military Academy and told Lee, "I am very proud of Minister Kim Yong-hyun." The young man then stood with Lee, singing songs and chanting slogans.

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I am very proud of Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Lee drew parallels between the current protests and past events, referring to a disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court as the "Western Uprising." He suggested that a "youth awakening" began after President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024, and that the current protests represent another phase of this awakening. Lee urged lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party, particularly those who have benefited from President Yoon's support, to come forward and protect the young protesters.

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Those who owe President Yoon even a little, those who have received grace from him, must come out and protect [the youth].

Lee Ha-sang is a co-chairman of the Western Liberty Lawyers Association, which defended defendants in the Western District Court disturbance case. He was previously detained for contempt of court in February for remarks made during a trial. He has faced accusations of defamation and verbal abuse towards a judge who issued the contempt order. The association had previously filed a complaint against Lee for alleged courtroom insults and defamation.

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After President Yoon's martial law on December 3, 2024, the youth began to awaken, and through the great Western Uprising on January 19, 2025, they awakened once more.