Lee Kyu-won, the spokesperson for the National Innovation Party, received a bouquet from the party leader during a welcoming ceremony held at the party headquarters in Yeouido on March 11, when he was still serving as a prosecutor.
In April, Lee, who did not return to his position after joining the National Innovation Party while still a prosecutor, filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Justice to nullify the reinstatement order, but the court dismissed the case.
The Seoul Administrative Court’s 13th Administrative Division (Judge Park Jeong-dae presiding) dismissed the lawsuit filed by Lee against the Minister of Justice, stating that the case did not meet the requirements to be heard.
Previously, Lee had sparked controversy by joining the National Innovation Party and accepting salary while on medical leave as a prosecutor. In March, a month before the general election, he submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Justice and joined the party, securing the 22nd position on the proportional representation list.
At that time, the Ministry of Justice did not accept his resignation since the National Public Service Law restricts retirement for prosecutors if they are indicted for misconduct. Lee was involved in the “Kim Hak-eui illegal travel ban” case and had received a suspended sentence of four months, pending an appeal.
Although Lee lost the election, he continued political activities without returning to work. The Ministry of Justice ordered him to return before his medical leave ended on the day of the general election (April 10). However, Lee did not comply and filed a lawsuit on April 11 to confirm the invalidation of the reinstatement order. He also requested a stay of execution to suspend the order’s effect, which was also dismissed by the court.
After Lee did not comply with the return-to-work order and remained absent, the Ministry of Justice’s disciplinary committee decided last month on the highest disciplinary action of dismissal. Dismissal is the severest sanction that the disciplinary committee can impose, and it prevents the person from practicing law for three years.