Seoul, South Korea – Lee Hasang, a lawyer representing former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun, was taken into custody at the Seoul Detention Center on Monday, February 3, 2026, after serving a 15-day sentence for contempt of court. The execution of the warrant occurred immediately following the conclusion of Kim’s trial at the Seoul Central District Court, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency and the Hankyoreh newspaper.
The initial contempt charge stemmed from an incident on December 19, 2025, during the trial of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who faces charges related to an alleged insurrection. Lee and fellow attorney Kwon Woohyun reportedly disrupted proceedings by attempting to seat Kim Yonghyun next to a “trusted associate” despite repeated objections from the court. The presiding judge, Lee Jinkwan, issued the 15-day sentence for the disruption, citing a violation of courtroom decorum.
Even as Kwon Woohyun was also sentenced to 15 days in detention, he was not present for the execution of the warrant on February 3rd. Lee Hasang was transported to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, to begin serving his sentence. The legal basis for the detention, known as “gamchi,” allows a court to incarcerate individuals who disrupt judicial proceedings.
Prior to his re-detention, Lee Hasang publicly criticized the court’s handling of the Han Ducksoo case, describing the judgment as akin to being “stabbed with a knife by psychopaths” in a recent YouTube interview, as reported by Newdaily. He also referenced judges Ijin Kwan and Baek Daehyun, stating, “Even if Daehyun barks, I head, and even if Jinkwan barks, I go. That’s why I will definitely win.”
On February 3rd, as Lee Hasang was being taken into custody, supporters gathered outside the Seoul Detention Center, offering flowers and books. One supporter, identified only as a member of the “Yoon Again” group, reportedly expressed hope that President Yoon Suk-yeol would also be able to leave the building with a similar expression of relief.
The execution of the warrant against Lee Hasang follows a period of legal challenges and public scrutiny surrounding the Kim Yonghyun case. The Seoul Central District Court has not yet issued a statement regarding the ongoing proceedings or the implications of the lawyer’s detention. The next scheduled hearing in Kim Yonghyun’s case is currently set for February 16th, when Lee Hasang is expected to be released from detention.
