[Column] Looking at Chairman Heo Young-in's Trip to the United States

Applied for Court Approval for Business Trip to Attend Trump's Inauguration
Criticism Over "Selective Onset" of Panic Disorder

On January 8, Hur Youngin, Chairman of SPC Group, submitted a request to the court for permission to travel abroad. The purpose is to attend the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump. Previously, Chairman Hur had been arrested and indicted in April last year on charges of violating the Labor Union Act, but was released on bail in September of the same year. At that time, the court granted bail on the condition that he report and obtain permission in advance if he intended to leave the country or travel for more than three days.

Chairman Hur is attending the inauguration upon the recommendation of the Korea-America Friendship Association. With the launch of the second Trump administration approaching, and with a continued state of political turmoil and impeachment proceedings creating a governance vacuum, there is a pressing need for business leaders to serve as a bridge between Korea and the United States. Therefore, his participation also carries a national interest aspect. However, considering the series of events from the investigation to the granting of bail, Chairman Hur's trip to the United States raises some questions.

During the investigation, Chairman Hur was arrested after repeatedly failing to comply with the prosecution's summons. At that time, SPC Group expressed regret in a statement distributed to the media.

"Chairman Hur is suffering from panic disorder. He was unable to carry out overseas work, and there was a scheduled signing ceremony in Korea that was arranged with difficulty. He explained that he would appear after his health improved, but the prosecution executed the arrest warrant regardless."

Chairman Hur also cited panic disorder when applying for bail last year. He argued, "At the age of 75, with worsening panic disorder, I should be allowed to stand trial without detention."

After the court granted his bail request, Chairman Hur traveled to Japan three months later, in December last year. It was reportedly for discussions on bakery technology with a Japanese company. Criticism arose that his panic disorder appeared to be 'selective,' as he had previously claimed that overseas work or standing trial while detained was impossible due to his condition, yet he went on an overseas business trip after being released on bail.

For this reason, public opinion on Chairman Hur's trip to the United States is not entirely positive. Some speculate that his business trip to attend Trump's inauguration is a legal strategy to seek a reduced sentence in the event of a conviction. During future court proceedings, his defense could argue that the trip was undertaken to help overcome an economic crisis and should be considered as a mitigating factor in sentencing.

In fact, there have been numerous cases where business leaders received reduced sentences using such strategies. However, receiving leniency for contributions to economic development is unimaginable for ordinary citizens. This has fueled criticism of judicial favoritism toward conglomerate leaders and the perception that wealth leads to acquittal. An SPC official stated, "Chairman Hur's trip is not intended to seek leniency on the grounds of contributing to economic development." Whether this explanation holds true will have to be watched throughout the trial process.