[2023 Major Trials] ③ Severe Sentences for Heinous Criminals... Socially Relevant Cases Ongoing

Verdicts on 'Violent Crimes' Including Valley Murder and Roundhouse Kick Cases
Jeoncheongjo and Solar Power Trials Ongoing... Yoon's Mother-in-Law Found Guilty

This year, the courts delivered verdicts on several cases that attracted significant social attention. In particular, they received praise for imposing the maximum life imprisonment sentences on heinous criminals who committed violent crimes such as murder, demonstrating strict judgments.

Notably, the courts swiftly handled high-profile cases such as celebrity drug incidents, moving quickly through trials to final rulings. Currently, several cases drawing public interest remain pending in the courts, suggesting that national attention will continue to focus on the judiciary next year as well.

In September 14 of this year, 11 months after being indicted, the Supreme Court finalized a 2-year prison sentence for composer Don Spike, who was tried for purchasing, possessing, and habitual use of a large quantity of drugs.

Additionally, on September 21, the Supreme Court confirmed heavy sentences including life imprisonment for heinous criminals tried for murder or attempted murder. The Supreme Court sentenced Lee Eun-hae, tried for the 'Valley Murder' case, to life imprisonment; Kwon Jae-chan, tried for consecutively murdering middle-aged men and women within two days, also received life imprisonment; and the perpetrator of the so-called 'Busan Roundhouse Kick' case, who indiscriminately assaulted, raped, and attempted to murder a woman in her twenties on her way home, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Jeon Ju-hwan, who was charged with murdering a coworker and a station attendant he was stalking, had his life imprisonment sentence finalized on October 12.

Choi Eun-soon, mother-in-law of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was detained during the second trial for forging bank account balance certificates, had her 1-year prison sentence finalized on November 15. The Supreme Court also rejected Choi’s bail request when confirming the sentence. Former Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu, who was indicted for assaulting a taxi driver while intoxicated and attempting to destroy evidence such as black box footage, had his 6-month prison sentence with a 2-year probation finalized on November 30.

The Hamilton Hotel CEO, who was criticized for illegally expanding the building and encroaching on passageways, thereby contributing to the cause of the 'Itaewon Disaster' that occurred on Halloween last year, was fined 8 million won in the first trial on the 29th of last month.

This was the court’s first ruling related to the Itaewon disaster. The first trial is currently underway for former Yongsan Police Station Chief Lee Im-jae and Yongsan District Mayor Park Hee-young, who were criticized for failing to properly act as the control tower during the incident, on charges of professional negligence causing death and injury.

Jeon Cheong-jo, who has been decided to be sent to the prosecution on charges including fraud, is being escorted to the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office after appearing at the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on the morning of November 10.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The trial related to Jeon Cheong-jo, which recently became a hot topic, is being held at the Seoul Eastern District Court. Jeon, who was detained and indicted on charges including fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, forgery of official documents and use of forged official documents, and forgery of private documents and use of forged private documents, admitted all charges at the first trial on the 22nd but claimed some allegations were exaggerated. Given the multiple charges, a fierce legal battle is expected in Jeon’s trial as well.

Second trials are underway for cases related to solar power facility funds. The Seoul Northern District Court sentenced Park (56), the CEO of a solar power plant construction company indicted for embezzling government funds set up to support solar power projects, to 2 years and 6 months in prison. Lee (47), CEO of a solar power facility manufacturer who obtained improper loans worth hundreds of billions of won through false documents targeting government support policies, was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The construction company CEO who submitted contracts and tax invoices with inflated construction costs to financial institutions over 140 times, receiving loans totaling approximately 19 billion won, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison.

Also, the Seoul Northern District Court is conducting the trial of former Korea Communications Commission Chairman Han Sang-hyuk, who was indicted on suspicion of manipulating scores for TV Chosun’s license renewal.