7th Court Ruling on 'Judicial Farming'... First Trial Sentencing Today for Lee Mingul and Lee Gyujin

Imingeol, Former Director of Planning and Coordination Office at the Court Administration [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The first trial verdict for four former and current judges, including former Planning and Coordination Officer Min-geol Lee of the Court Administration Office, who were involved in allegations of abuse of judicial administrative power during the tenure of former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae, will be announced on the 23rd. This is the seventh court ruling related to the judicial scandal.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 32 (Presiding Judge Yoon Jong-seop) will hold the first trial sentencing hearing at 2 p.m. on the same day for former Officer Lee, former Supreme Court Sentencing Committee Standing Member Lee Kyu-jin, former Jeonju District Court Chief Judge Bang Chang-hyun, and former Seoul High Court Chief Judge Shim Sang-chul, who were indicted on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. In the previous closing arguments, the prosecution requested the court to sentence former Officer Lee and former Standing Member Lee to 2 years and 6 months in prison each, and former Chief Judge Shim and Chief Judge Bang to 1 year and 6 months in prison each.

Former Officer Lee was prosecuted for intervening in lawsuits confirming the status of former Unified Progressive Party lawmakers and attempting to dismantle a judges' association critical of judicial administration. Former Standing Member Lee is accused of illegally collecting confidential information from the Constitutional Court, interfering in trials related to the former Unified Progressive Party, and surveilling judges. The court initially planned to deliver the verdict on the 18th of last month but postponed the date twice, citing the need for more time to review records and prepare the judgment.

Meanwhile, all six previous rulings related to the judicial scandal allegations resulted in acquittals. The outcome of this first trial is also expected to influence the trials of former Chief Justice Yang and former Deputy Chief of the Court Administration Office Lim Jong-heon, who are accused of conspiring with them.