Supreme Court, Seocho-dong, Seoul. Photo by Honam Moon munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Former Sangji University President Kim Moon-gi, who faced trial for charges including arbitrarily changing the university corporation’s seal to block an appeal in a lawsuit and using school funds for his own attorney fees, has had his suspended prison sentence finalized.
On the 22nd, the Supreme Court’s First Division (Presiding Justice Kim Seonsu) announced that it upheld the lower court’s ruling sentencing former President Kim to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation period on charges including embezzlement in the course of duty and violation of the Private School Act.
Previously, Kim was prosecuted for using school funds for his attorney fees over about two years starting in 2013, and for arbitrarily changing the corporation’s seal in 2017 to withdraw an appeal related to a lawsuit involving himself. He was also charged for causing a disturbance by entering the Sangji University president’s office and shouting "Step down" at the acting president at the time.
The first trial court sentenced Kim to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation. The court stated, "The nature and circumstances of each crime are very serious, and no settlement was reached with the victims," but also noted, "Considering that approximately 50 million won of embezzled school funds were repaid and other relevant factors."
The appellate court maintained the first trial’s sentence, stating, "The damage caused by the defendant’s crimes could ultimately affect students and professors, which is highly condemnable." However, it acquitted him of some charges related to embezzlement in the course of duty.
The Supreme Court also agreed with this judgment. The court dismissed the appeal, stating, "The lower court did not err in its legal interpretation regarding the intent to unlawfully gain profits and intent in the embezzlement charge, nor in the legal principles concerning school fund accounting and intent in the violation of the Private School Act."
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