‘Blacklist’ Former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung Granted Parole on Gwangbokjeol

Former Minister Kim Sentenced to 2 Years for Abuse of Power... Scheduled for Release on the 12th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung, who was sentenced to prison in the 'Ministry of Environment Blacklist' case, will be released on parole on August 15, Liberation Day.

According to the legal community on the 5th, the Ministry of Justice Parole Review Committee held a meeting in the afternoon and included former Minister Kim on the list of parole candidates scheduled for release on the 12th of this month.

Former Minister Kim was prosecuted on charges of forcing executives of public institutions under the Ministry of Environment, appointed during the Park Geun-hye administration in 2017-2018, to submit their resignations, and then 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 Kim's charges as guilty and sentenced her to 2 years and 6 months in prison, ordering her immediate detention in court. However, the appellate court ruled that since some of the public institution executives were at the end of their terms, even if the Ministry of Environment accepted their resignations and began successor appointments, it could not be considered abuse of authority, reducing Kim's sentence to 2 years in prison.

Among the 13 executives whom the prosecution believed were asked to resign, the first trial court found 12 guilty, but the appellate court only recognized charges against 4 of them.

Additionally, in the appellate court, some charges of obstruction of business and abuse of authority that were recognized as guilty in the first trial were overturned to not guilty. The Supreme Court upheld this appellate court ruling.

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison for the 'Druking comment manipulation' case, and former National Intelligence Service Director Lee Byung-ho, who received a 3 years and 6 months sentence for supporting former President Park with 2.1 billion won in special activity funds, were excluded from this parole list.

However, there is speculation that former Governor Kim may be included in the first special pardon by President Yoon Suk-yeol through the pardon review committee scheduled for the 9th of this month.