Ji Guyon Makes Resolute Statement Before Trial: "It's Not True, and This Is Not That Kind of Era" (Comprehensive)

Judge Ji Guyon Firmly Denies
"Room Salon Entertainment" Allegations
Emphasizes Integrity Amid Ongoing Suspicion

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is ordering the press to leave during the second criminal trial hearing on charges of leading a rebellion at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on April 21, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the morning of May 19, Ji Guyon, the presiding judge of the 25th Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Court, who is overseeing the 'rebellion trial', began the fourth hearing for former President Yoon Sukyeol and denied allegations of having received entertainment at a room salon, which had been raised primarily by the Democratic Party of Korea. He stated, "The allegations are not true."

Before the start of the fourth trial for former President Yoon on charges of leading a rebellion, Judge Ji said, "I feel I must say something before we proceed with the case," and added, "Everyone seems to be curious, and I believe that if I do not address this, it will be difficult for the trial itself to be trusted."

He stated, "The content of the allegations is not true," and emphasized, "I have never even considered the idea of going to such a place to be entertained."

Judge Ji said, "In the midst of an important trial, it is possible that the court responding one by one to continuous suspicions and attacks stemming from background checks on judges could itself affect the progress of the trial." Judge Ji added, "The court will do its utmost to conduct a prompt and fair trial in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law."

Judge Ji also said, "In my daily life, I simply enjoy samgyeopsal and somaek. The content of the allegations is not true, and I have never even thought about going to such a place to be entertained." He particularly emphasized, "Above all, this is not that kind of era anymore. There is no one who even buys me samgyeopsal and soju."

Previously, on May 14, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yongmin raised the 'entertainment allegations' against Judge Ji during a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing investigating suspicions of presidential election interference involving Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and others. The Supreme Court's Office of Ethics and Audit is currently looking into the facts of the matter.

On May 15, the Seoul Central District Court stated, "The content of the allegations is not only abstract, but no concrete evidence has been presented, and as a result, it has not been possible to verify the truth of the suspicions," and explained that it had no further position to announce. However, on May 16, the Supreme Court's Office of Ethics and Audit stated again, "We are confirming the facts related to the allegations."

On May 16, Judge Ji was also reported to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) by several civic groups, including 'Lawyers Prosecuting Prosecutors', 'People's Livelihood Economy Research Institute', and 'Candlelight Action', on charges of bribery and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act in connection with the entertainment allegations.