'Environmental Ministry Blacklist' Kim Eun-kyung and Shin Mi-sook Submit Appeal Against 2nd Trial Verdict

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Former Minister of Environment Kim Eun-kyung and former Blue House Balanced Personnel Secretary Shin Mi-sook, who were indicted in the so-called 'Ministry of Environment Blacklist' case, have filed appeals against the second trial verdict.

According to the legal community on the 27th, former Minister Kim and former Secretary Shin submitted their appeals to the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6-1 (Presiding Judges Kim Yong-ha, Jung Chong-ryeong, Jo Eun-rae) on the same day. The prosecution has not yet appealed.

Former Minister Kim and former Secretary Shin were tried on charges of forcing resignations from executives of public institutions under the Ministry of Environment appointed during the Park Geun-hye administration in 2017-2018, and placing individuals selected by the Blue House or the Ministry of Environment in the vacant successor positions.

The first trial court recognized a significant portion of their charges as guilty, sentencing former Minister Kim to 2 years and 6 months in prison, and former Secretary Shin to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation.

The appellate court overturned some of the charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of business against the two, sentencing former Minister Kim to 2 years in prison, and former Secretary Shin to 1 year in prison with a 3-year probation.

The prosecution indicted them on charges of demanding resignations from a total of 13 public institution executives; while 12 were found guilty in the first trial, only 4 were found guilty in the appellate trial.

A lawyer for former Minister Kim stated immediately after the verdict, "Although many parts that were sentenced guilty in the first trial were acquitted in the appellate trial, it is regrettable that a 2-year prison sentence was imposed," adding, "The sentence is excessive."