Lawyer commemorates friends' democratic struggles through dance drama

Lee Hong-cheol, a lawyer with over 40 years of experience, recently took to the stage at the National Theater in Seoul, not as legal counsel, but as a dancer and creator. At 67, he performed in a creative dance drama he wrote and funded, "A Judge's Sadness and Joy," a production he poured over 100 million won of his personal savings into.

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I had the desire for democratization, but I was too afraid to act. Seeing Tae-hoon, I vowed that when the time came to practice my sense of mission as a legal professional, I would step forward.

The performance served as a tribute to two significant figures: Kim Tae-hoon, a high school and university friend who died in 1981 after protesting the Chun Doo-hwan regime, and Judge Han Ki-taek, a colleague who championed judicial independence. Kim Tae-hoon's sacrifice deeply impacted Lee, prompting a vow to uphold his ideals if he ever became a legal professional. Judge Han Ki-taek later embodied this commitment by leading a pivotal judges' signature campaign in 1988, protesting the government's influence on the judiciary.

Lee played a crucial role in the 1988 signature campaign, rallying judges to sign a statement demanding self-reflection and reform within the judiciary. This movement led to the resignation of the Chief Justice and the eventual formation of the "Our Law Research Group," a forum for judges to discuss fair trials and legal interpretation. Lee donated the original documents from this campaign to the court library last year.

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Judge Han had no interest in career advancement and was someone who devoted himself to court and records.

Lee began dancing in 2015, initially as a hobby. However, the idea for the dance drama evolved, merging his passion for dance with his desire to honor his friends' legacies. He believes legal professionals, who hold significant power and receive societal benefits, have a greater responsibility to act ethically and selflessly. Through this performance, Lee hopes to remind the legal community of their mission and values, encouraging them to reflect on their roles and contributions to society.

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Lawyers are people who enjoy a lot of authority and benefits in society. They should sacrifice more and play a more righteous role, but instead, they have often prioritized their group's interests. Through this performance, I wanted to reflect on what kind of mission and values legal professionals should live by.