Won Se-hoon "Unfair Supreme Court Ruling, I Want to Be Judged Again"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The defense team of former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Won Se-hoon, whose conviction on some charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights was overturned and remanded by the Supreme Court, appealed to the court to reconsider the judgment, claiming it was unfair.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 1-2 (Presiding Judge Eom Sang-pil, Judges Shim Dam and Lee Seung-ryeon) held a preparatory hearing on the retrial of former Director Won, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (loss to the national treasury), on the 14th.

Former Director Won, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence, did not appear in court that day.

Won’s defense attorney stated that while they have no objection to the Supreme Court’s reasoning for remand, "According to recent Supreme Court precedents, the application of the abuse of authority doctrine has been relaxed," and added, "We would like to have the court reconsider the legal judgment once again."

He continued, "Although the Supreme Court ruling has been issued, the defendant does not admit the contested parts," and "He still feels emotionally wronged."

The defense also argued for dismissal of some charges, claiming they constitute double prosecution.

He expressed a desire to question the defendant, saying, "It is necessary to hear about how he views the past eight years of investigation and trial, as well as to discuss his prison life during sentencing."

Former Director Won is accused of using the NIS budget to operate a civilian comment manipulation team and spending funds to verify rumors of misconduct involving the late Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun. He is also charged with delivering 200 million won in special activity funds from the NIS as bribes to former President Lee Myung-bak and former lawmaker Lee Sang-deuk.

Additionally, there are 13 charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights, including ordering NIS employees to surveil First Lady Kwon Yang-sook and the late Mayor Park Won-soon.

The first trial sentenced former Director Won to seven years in prison and seven years of disqualification, while the second trial sentenced him to seven years in prison and five years of disqualification. In March, the Supreme Court overturned and remanded part of the second trial’s acquittal on abuse of authority charges, stating that the NIS’s abuse of authority should be judged by a stricter standard.