Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: The Trial Commences
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Judge Kim Kwang-taek nodded.
"Very well. Granting litigation representation authority is itself a 'litigation act' that requires the representative's litigation capacity. However, pursuant to Article 89 of the Civil Procedure Act, there is no defect in the plaintiff granting litigation representation authority to the representative through legal consultation in this case. Accordingly, this court has permitted the appointment of a non-lawyer as litigation representative."
True to form for Judge Kim Kwang-taek, who had opened with a sermon on the people and the rule of law, he meticulously addressed each point in greater detail than anyone.
His momentum suggested he would allow no rebuttal whatsoever in the trial proceedings.
"Next, defendant side, Mr. Jeong Kyung-yoon. Are you present?"
"...Yes."
A yellow-haired young man who seemed utterly disinterested in the case.
With his legs crossed and arms folded, he was little more than a puppet; everything would be handled by the two lawyers from Daesan.
"Likewise, the defendant has also appointed a litigation representative, correct? Does this match the submitted documents?"
A reluctant nod.
"Very well. Is the litigation representative present?"
At this, the two lawyers stated one after another with stern expressions.
"Defendant's litigation representative, Kim Kyung-don, present."
"Defendant's litigation representative, Kim Dong-uk, present."
Thus, the preliminaries proceeded smoothly, but the main event was only just beginning. The audience began to immerse themselves, with only faint murmurs and whispers lingering in the courtroom.
"See that? No issues with appointing counsel."
"They must've prepared everything in advance."
The audience seemed already leaning toward Kang Hyun's side from the start. Song Ha-dong flashed a brief smile, and everyone wore expressions foreseeing victory.
However, Kang Hyun's thoughts were the complete opposite.
It's tough. Far from easy.
This was an attempt to overturn a fight with a predetermined outcome, known only to a select few.
A battle with a high chance of failure, yet the crowd's expectations could weigh on him as pressure.
'The judge is that thorough—will it work?'
Meticulousness aside, Judge Kim Kwang-taek had a strong tendency to judge everything based on the law.
Whether what Kang Hyun planned would sway him was something to test, but the problem was that it clearly wasn't rooted in legal reasoning.
"Plaintiff's side."
"Yes, we'll begin."
If a passing law student witnessed this scene, they would be stunned.
Twenty-one years old. Not even a licensed lawyer yet, rising confidently to stand before the court. Who could pull off such a feat?
Thus, his first official representation began with bold assurance and composure.
"On April 1st of this year, around 5 p.m., while driving a sports car near the dog park as stated in the complaint, the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout ahead and struck the plaintiff’s pet dog 'Latte' with the front wheels of his passenger car, injuring its left front leg and both hind legs.
The plaintiff immediately rushed Latte to the hospital and poured everything into over eight weeks of treatment and rehabilitation. However, despite three surgeries, Latte—family in all but name—suffered complete paralysis of the lower body and fell into an irrecoverable state. Currently, both Latte and the plaintiff are enduring severe mental anguish."
Kang Hyun's representation started with a subtle peculiarity: using human-like terms for the pet dog.
This diverged from the claim's basis and tone in the complaint, tilting the judge's head in puzzlement.
It wasn't the typical phrasing used in trials.
"...Hmph."
A small chuckle from the defendant's lawyers. A dismissive gesture toward Kang Hyun.
To them, his argument must have seemed sloppy and amateurish—understandable enough.
They might even view him as a pompous dog-killer pretender unworthy of stepping into court.
But Kang Hyun didn't care. If he appeared inadequate to them, it would only delay the reveal of his strategy.
"Accordingly, the defendant is obligated to pay the plaintiff 3.57 million won for Latte's medical expenses and 7 million won in solatium for emotional distress, totaling 10.57 million won. That concludes."
Kang Hyun returned to his seat naturally. It was merely an opening without standout content so far, but the audience's murmurs were already growing louder.
Murmur murmur.
"Medical bills plus emotional distress compensation?"
"Getting even the medical bills would be tough."
His strategy was to claim actual medical costs plus 'solatium for emotional distress.' Without this, there was little room for substantial damages.
Judge Kim Kwang-taek continued.
"I've heard you well. Now, the defendant's response to the plaintiff's claims."
"I'm Kim Kyung-don, litigation representative for the defendant."
The shorter of the two lawyers shot to his feet.
"The defendant acknowledges, as per the complaint, that on April 1st of this year, around 5 p.m., while driving a passenger car, he failed to keep a proper lookout ahead and struck the plaintiff's pet dog. However, the defendant bears no responsibility for the pet dog's defects and cooperated to restore it to its original state regardless. Liability is about 10 percent."
"What? R-Restore to original state?"
Not just the connotation of the word, but calling it 'original state' when the dog was crippled enough to lose use of its hind legs.
Kwon Yong-sik's face darkened. Kang Hyun nodded reassuringly to calm him, then shot a glance urging composure upon catching his eye.
Now wasn't the time to interject.
This wasn't a mock trial or simple mediation. It was a formal small-claims trial, albeit minor.
The case could flip or flop based on the judge's ruling. They had to proceed with maximum calm and poise.
"Your Honor, may I add a word regarding this?"
Kim Dong-uk, beside Kim Kyung-don who was responding for the defense, raised his hand. The judge nodded.
"In addition, the defendant made every effort to settle with the plaintiff. However, the plaintiff demanded excessive medical costs beyond reason and unilaterally sabotaged the settlement."
"Elaborate."
"Legally, a pet dog is considered property. Ordinarily, repairing damaged property at a cost exceeding its value is unreasonable, as one could acquire a new item for the original value."
At the word 'property,' Kwon Yong-sik trembled and looked to Kang Hyun, who showed no reaction.
"So, you're saying the plaintiff's actions sabotaged the settlement attempt based on that logic?"
"Yes. We offered 300,000 won in advance for medical costs and consolation, then upped it to 700,000 won per the plaintiff's claim, totaling 1 million won for settlement. But the response was rejection—accompanied by taunts calling us heartless."
Only after such words did Kang Hyun cautiously raise his hand to interrupt.
"Objection. The defendant is citing unverified statements and words to demean the plaintiff's character."
"Sustained. Defendant's representative, please argue only with objective facts and circumstances."
"Understood. However, for the aforementioned reasons, since the defendant endeavored to compensate the property damage, it can also be seen as having done its utmost to alleviate emotional distress. Thus, there is no obligation for emotional solatium."
The opposing lawyers smoothly chained their statements with brazen skill. Persistent and tenacious, yet courteous. This was what real lawyers felt like, down to the bone.
Their claims boiled down to two: they made their best effort at settlement, and the emotional solatium claim was unjust. In an instant, they laid out standard logic.
Kang Hyun acknowledged their solidity here.
Whether they wielded fair and righteous standards was unknown—they were simply strong, skilled, excellent lawyers.
"Property..."
Kwon Yong-sik muttered in dismay. The trial proceeded along typical precedents, and that alone kept dealing blows to Kang Hyun's side.
Kang Hyun was timing it. He glanced at the courtroom clock.
The 15-minute mark.
'Timing is key.'
He needed to reverse the mood while refreshing their thinking. For now, he held the cards. He gripped the documents in his hand a bit tighter.
"I've heard your claims well. Does the plaintiff's side have rebuttals?"
Judge Kim Kwang-taek showed no agitation or bias, but he clearly held curiosity about Kang Hyun's position.
Because the Daesan lawyers' arguments were ideal and precise—devastatingly airtight—yet utterly ordinary.
Naturally, Judge Kim Kwang-taek was intensely curious. And he wasn't the only one.
A non-lawyer taking on such a trial: success would be a spectacular debut, but failure carried grave risk.
If it was all hot air?
Stammering nonsense before retreating would plummet Kang Hyun's reputation.
"First."
Kang Hyun's mouth opened naturally, the real battle arguments about to unfold.
Everyone leaned in to listen again.
'What to start with.'
Kang Hyun trailed off, briefly lost in thought.
Should he first rebut the opponent's claims?
Or wield his prepared material to flip the mood?
From afar, Song Ha-dong and the two Daesan lawyers held their breath. They sensed his deliberation well.
"Regarding the defendant's prior arguments, we will submit relevant materials as evidence later. As for the initial settlement portion, it's clear the proposals were unacceptable to the plaintiff; even multiple attempts do not limit or absolve the defendant's liability."
"We'll judge that based on your submitted documents."
"Thank you. For emotional solatium, please assess via documents first. The plaintiff has records of multiple psychiatric visits post-incident, and circumstantial evidence sufficiently supports that daily life has been impaired, as commonly accepted."
Observers admired his fluid, eloquent rebuttal while tilting their heads.
It was certainly flawless. But it lacked anything to overturn the trial.
"Understood. Anything more?"
Yet, at that moment.
"May I... pose a simple question to Your Honor and the defendant’s side here?"
Kang Hyun's relaxed flow paused, then veered into unexpected territory unlike standard arguments, stirring murmurs.
'Is he faltering?'
Song Ha-dong frowned. The two lawyers smirked in disbelief at the question request.
The judge, tension easing, replied.
"Well, if the defendant permits, I'll allow it. Defendant's side?"
"We'll hear it first and decide."
They responded instantly without consultation, and Kang Hyun nodded calmly in thanks.
No trace of the aggressive onslaught from prior contests or cases—this was a composed advocate.
As people tried grasping the situation.
"Thank you. Does anyone here have a dog hair allergy, by chance?"
"...?"
"Pardon?"
People cocked heads in worry and confusion. The momentarily flustered judge shook his head cautiously side to side; the two lawyers followed suit.
"In severe cases, it's called an 'anaphylactic reaction.' It's a life-threatening condition where allergy symptoms like hives, swelling, breathing difficulty, even shock, manifest extensively."
"What's the point of mentioning this?"
Unable to contain curiosity, the judge asked. Kang Hyun paused briefly.
"It's this."
The lawyers' faces blanked, uncomprehending. Only Kang Hyun remained unflappable.
"It's related to my forthcoming arguments, so I'll submit 'anaphylaxis' materials first. Thank you. That concludes the plaintiff's claims."