Chan Han Choi: Alleged North Korea missile broker sacks barrister
A man accused of brokering missile deals for the North Korean regime has sensationally sacked his high-profile lawyer, telling the court he couldn’t trust him.
Central Sydney
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An Australian man accused of trying to broker missile deals for the North Korean regime is set to defend himself at trial next year, after sacking his high-paid barrister.
Chan Han Choi was the first person charged under Australia’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act, after his arrest at his Eastwood apartment in December 2017.
He is alleged to have been an “economic agent” of Pyongyang who tried to raise tens of millions of dollars by brokering weapons technology and resources deals on behalf of North Korea.
In total he faces eight charges under the Act including providing services for a weapon of mass destruction program, contravening a law or sanction and contravening a UN sanction.
Choi was due to be arraigned for trial at the Supreme Court on Friday but Justice Elizabeth Fullerton decided against proceeding after learning he had parted ways with his lawyer.
The 62-year-old has previously told a court he is a political prisoner and believes he would not get a fair trial in Australia.
On Friday the Supreme Court heard Choi had lost trust in his now ex-lawyer, barrister Peter Lange, and intended to represent himself at a trial set to be held sometime in 2021.
Justice Fullerton tried to gently remind Choi of the benefits of retaining a lawyer when facing such serious charges, but conceded it was not the court’s role to insist that he had legal representation.
“I’m sure that you understand that lawyers assist the process in many ways,” she said.
Speaking through a translator from a video conference room at Long Bay Correctional Facility, Choi maintained he was comfortable with his decision.
“I could not trust him (Mr Lange) any longer,” he said. “I am willing to defend myself at trial.”
Mr Lange, also appearing in court, chose not to disclose how the relationship with his former client soured.
Choi was born in the South Korean capital of Seoul and moved to Australia in 1987, before becoming a citizen in 2001.
Australian Federal Police will allege in court that while living in Australia he worked in secret for the highest echelon of the North Korean government after pledging his loyalty to the socialist regime.
It will be alleged he used black market contacts in Syria, Taiwan, Cambodia and Russia to broker deals in coal and iron – but also discussed the sale of short-range missiles.
Choi’s matter will return to court later this year.