Sentencing Today in Retrial of Kim Hak-eui on 'Bribery' Charges

Former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Supreme Court’s retrial sentencing hearing for former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui on bribery charges, which was sent back to the High Court due to the possibility of contamination of witness testimony after a pre-interview with the prosecutor, is being held today.

On the 27th afternoon, the Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Park Yeonwook) will conduct the retrial sentencing hearing for former Vice Minister Kim’s bribery charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

So far, the defense team of former Vice Minister Kim and the prosecution have been engaged in a dispute over the credibility of witness Choi regarding his testimony. The key point of the ruling today is what judgment the court will make concerning suspicions that the prosecution may have coerced or pressured Choi.

Former Vice Minister Kim was prosecuted on charges of receiving bribes worth approximately 130 million won and multiple instances of sexual favors of an unquantifiable amount from construction businessman Yoon Joongcheon between 2006 and 2008, as well as receiving bribes totaling about 49 million won in cash and payments for a phone registered under a false name from construction businessman Choi, who acted as his "sponsor," between 2003 and 2011.

The first trial dismissed the sexual favor allegations against former Vice Minister Kim due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and acquitted him of the remaining charges.

The second trial recognized guilt for 43 million won of the bribes received from Choi, sentencing him to 2 years and 6 months in prison, a fine of 5 million won, and a confiscation of 43 million won, and ordered his detention in court. This was because witness Choi initially denied the bribery but reversed his testimony after a pre-interview with the prosecutor before appearing in court.

However, in June of last year, the Supreme Court accepted former Vice Minister Kim’s claim that "Choi met with the prosecutor before appearing as a witness" and sent the case back to the Seoul High Court. At that time, the court pointed out that "it is difficult to exclude the possibility that the witness changed his previous testimony to one consistent with the charges due to influence such as coercion or pressure by investigative authorities, inducement of answers, or suggestions."