No charges for officers and employees of a global automaker in a criminal investigation

A criminal investigation was conducted into officers and employees at the overseas headquarters of a global automaker in connection with vehicle fires. Attorney Jaehoon Lee defended those officers and employees.

The main issues were the technical cause of the vehicle fires, the specific duties of the officers and employees involved and whether they were involved, and whether the intent required for criminal liability could be established.

Attorney Lee analyzed materials on the vehicles' technical structure and the cause of the fires, and held video conferences with the clients located overseas to understand the facts and the duties and roles of the officers and employees involved. On that basis, he argued actively during the investigation by the Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the police that the officers and employees involved bore no criminal liability.

He also contested whether the alleged offenses were made out, focusing on the point that the clients had no intent to conceal defects or to deceive.

The investigating authorities ultimately decided not to charge the clients.