'Judicial Farming' Trial, Closing Arguments on the 15th of Next Month

After 4 Years and 7 Months Since the First Trial Began
Sentencing Expected After Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su's Retirement

The first trial proceedings for former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae and others, who were indicted on charges related to the so-called 'judicial farming,' will conclude next month. The verdict is expected to be delivered after Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo's retirement.

Former Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae accused of abusing judicial administrative power / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 25th, the Criminal Division 35-1 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Lee Jong-min, Lim Jeong-taek, Min So-young) announced that the evidence examination in the trial of former Chief Justice Yang and former Justices Park Byung-dae and Ko Young-han on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights would be completed that day, and the closing procedures would be conducted at 10 a.m. on the 15th of next month. This marks the conclusion of the trial approximately 4 years and 7 months after it began.

Previously, former Chief Justice Yang and others were brought to trial on February 11, 2019, on charges including unjustly delaying several lawsuits filed by forced labor victims against Japanese war crime companies and imposing personnel disadvantages on judges who criticized judicial administration.

Typically, the sentencing hearing is held about a month after the closing arguments. However, due to the extensive nature of this case, it is possible that the verdict will be delivered two to three months later, either at the end of this year or early next year.

Since Chief Justice Kim's term ends on the 24th of next month, it is highly likely that the first trial verdict will be delivered during the term of the next Chief Justice.