Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility (49), who was indicted on charges of delivering political funds to opposition party figures, did not attend the trial held on the 19th.
Yoon Chan-young, presiding judge of Criminal Division 12 at the Seoul Southern District Court, postponed the third trial session scheduled for the afternoon involving former chairman Kim and former Star Mobility CEO Lee Kang-se (69). Lee attended the session, but Kim submitted a letter explaining his absence and did not appear in court.
They were prosecuted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act for delivering a total of approximately 160 million KRW in money and valuables to Democratic Party lawmakers Ki Dong-min and Lee Soo-jin (proportional representation), former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-choon, and former spokesperson of the Uri Party Kim Gap-soo around the 20th general election from February to April 2016.
Kim’s absence appears to have been sudden to the extent that even his legal counsel was unaware. Kim’s lawyer stated, "I did not know he would be absent, but I recently heard during a visit that he had some health issues, so that is all I know."
With Kim absent, Lee’s side said they would conduct the defendant’s examination together at the next session. The prosecution requested, "It is difficult to accept Kim’s sudden absence," and added, "It would be better to proceed with the trial of Lee, who attended and confessed," but the court accepted the defense’s opinion and decided to conduct the defendant’s examination at the next session.
The next session is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on August 28.
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