‘Judicial Manipulation’ Allegations Against Yang Seung-tae: "The Anti-Corruption Storm Reached the Judiciary... No Prejudice in the Court"

Former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae, who is accused of abusing judicial administrative power during his tenure as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, stated in court, "The whirlwind called clearing out deep-rooted evils swept through even the judiciary," adding, "If the preconceived notions formed during that process hinder the (new court's) objective observation, that is precisely what we defendants are most concerned about."

On the 7th, former Chief Justice Yang made these remarks during the trial held by the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 35-1 (Presiding Judge Lee Jong-min) involving himself and former Court Administration Office heads Park Byung-dae and Go Young-han. He argued, "As the investigation process of this case was broadcast live in real time, all information was distorted and conclusions were arbitrarily drawn," and "It was as if hypnosis was cast, leading the general public to believe that 'they committed significant crimes during the course of their duties.'" He then appealed, "I hope the new court will accurately determine the essence of this case and the substantive content involved."

This trial resumed two months after the entire panel was replaced in the regular judicial personnel reshuffle in February. The new panel conducted a trial renewal procedure by hearing the prosecution's charges and confirming the defendants' positions. In response, former Chief Justice Yang's defense attorney maintained the claim of innocence, requesting a verdict of not guilty on all charges against the defendant. Former Chief Justice Yang and others were indicted in February 2019 on charges including interfering in lawsuits related to forced labor during Japanese colonial rule, surveilling judges, and imposing disadvantages in personnel matters.

Meanwhile, recently, the same court's Criminal Division 32 (Presiding Judge Yoon Jong-seop) sentenced former Court Administration Office Planning and Coordination Director Lee Min-geol and former Supreme Court Sentencing Commission Standing Member Lee Gyu-jin, who were indicted for abuse of judicial administrative power, to suspended prison sentences in the first trial. With the first guilty verdict issued in the judiciary related to the judicial scandal case, it is anticipated that the cases of former Chief Justice Yang and others, who are accused of conspiring with them, will also be affected.