[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Kwang-jin posted a controversial message targeting former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung while mourning the late former lawmaker Kim Jae-yoon, who was found dead on the 29th.
On the 30th, former lawmaker Kim Kwang-jin wrote on his Facebook, "The life of a politician is tragic. I pray for the repose of the late lawmaker Kim Jae-yoon who passed away suddenly."
He added, "The embezzlement case involving the president of Seoul Arts Practical School suddenly transformed into a bribery charge against an opposition party lawmaker, and the appellate judge who overturned the first trial’s not guilty verdict to guilty and sentenced him to four years in prison was former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung."
Former lawmaker Kim Jae-yoon was found dead around 12:50 p.m. that day on the first floor of a building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. He served as a member of the 17th to 19th National Assembly but lost his seat after being sentenced to prison by the Supreme Court in 2014 for 'legislative lobbying' related to Seoul Arts Practical School (SAC). He was accused of receiving bribes worth 54 million won in exchange for amending related laws to allow the school to change its name.
In the first trial, Kim Jae-yoon was sentenced to three years in prison, fined 50 million won, and ordered to pay a fine of 44 million won. However, former Chairman Choi, who was then a presiding judge at the Seoul High Court, increased the sentence in the second trial to four years in prison, a 60 million won fine, and a 54 million won fine. The appellate court found guilty the 10 million won cash receipt that was acquitted in the first trial. Kim Jae-yoon appealed, but the Supreme Court dismissed it, confirming the four-year prison sentence.
Former lawmaker Kim Kwang-jin essentially raised the 'Choi Jae-hyung responsibility theory' regarding Kim Jae-yoon’s death, but some argue that this claim is excessive. From the first trial, Kim Jae-yoon’s bribery charges were not 'not guilty,' and the second trial found some charges guilty, resulting in a heavier sentence.
Among netizens, criticism has emerged accusing former lawmaker Kim Kwang-jin’s claim of excessive 'targeting.' One netizen commented, "Wasn’t it the Moon Jae-in administration that appointed Chairman Choi Jae-hyung of the Board of Audit and Inspection?" and added, "If you want to make criticisms, please do so with proper evidence."
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