Prosecutors React to 'Judicial Farming' Not Guilty Verdict... "Will Appeal"

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The prosecution has decided to appeal after Lee Taejong, the current chief judge of the Suwon High Court, who was indicted for leaking investigation secrets to the Court Administration Office, was acquitted in the first trial.

On the 18th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office issued a statement saying, "We plan to appeal the first trial verdict to seek a reconsideration of the facts and legal judgment."

The Criminal Division 26 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Raeni) acquitted former Director Lee, who was charged with abuse of authority and obstruction of rights, at the sentencing hearing held that day. The court ruled that there was no intent to obstruct the expansion of the investigation, and it was difficult to recognize that he had ordered or conspired to leak official secrets, thus the charge of leaking official secrets was not proven.

In response, the prosecution stated, "Regarding the charge of leaking official secrets by conspiring with the planning judge to disclose investigation secrets obtained through official duties, the court also acknowledged that the report provided by the planning judge to the Court Administration Office contained 'investigation secrets obtained through official duties,'" and added, "The planning judge testified in court that he reported to the defendant, the court chief, obtained approval, and then sent the report to the Court Administration Office."

They also explained, "Regarding the abuse of authority charge for ordering the collection of investigation information to the general affairs manager and others, it was confirmed during the trial that, under the defendant court chief's instructions, the head of the audit department and others summoned related persons involved in cases under prosecution investigation to verify their statements at the prosecution, and documents summarizing those verifications were reported to the defendant, while these facts were not even attached in the audit records."

In particular, the prosecution pointed out, "Nevertheless, the court concluded that the leaking of official secrets was as if it were the sole act of the planning judge, and regarding the abuse of authority, it judged that the defendant's 'thorough inspection instructions' were given without any illegal or improper orders."

Meanwhile, former Director Lee was brought to trial on charges of leaking investigation secrets to cover up the corruption investigation of a clerk at the West District Court’s Enforcement Officer Office, which began from August to November 2016.