Chief Judge Ji: "The Allegations Are Not True"... Direct Rebuttal
Democratic Party Releases 'Allegation Photos'
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has launched an investigation into the case involving allegations of 'room salon entertainment' against Ji Guiyeon, Chief Judge of the Seoul Central District Court.
No Jongmyeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is revealing photos related to the 'room salon entertainment' allegations against Ji Guiyeon, Chief Judge of the Seoul Central District Court, at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 19th. The Democratic Party's Central Election Committee stated that "Judge Ji denied visiting the room salon in connection with the allegations" and announced the decision to release the photos regarding this matter. 2025.5.19 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On May 20, the CIO announced that on May 19, it assigned the case, in which Chief Judge Ji was accused of bribery and other charges, to the Third Investigation Division (headed by Prosecutor Lee Daehwan).
Previously, on May 14, Kim Yongmin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed during a full session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee that "Chief Judge Ji drank alcohol multiple times at a 'room salon,' where the cost per person was about 1 million to 2 million won, and I received specific reports that the judge never paid even once."
In response, on May 16, several civic groups?including the Lawyers for Prosecutor Accountability, the Institute for Civil Economy, and Candlelight Action?filed a complaint with the CIO, accusing Chief Judge Ji of bribery and violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.
On May 19, during the fourth trial hearing for former President Yoon Sukyeol's insurrection charges, Chief Judge Ji directly refuted the allegations, stating, "It is not true." He added, "I usually eat samgyeopsal and drink somaek. The content of the allegations is not true, and I have never even thought of being entertained in such a place. The court will focus on conducting a prompt and fair trial in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law."
After Chief Judge Ji's statement, the Democratic Party held a briefing on the same day, claiming, "Chief Judge Ji is lying," and released photos taken inside an entertainment establishment, as well as a photo showing Chief Judge Ji sitting side by side with two companions. During the afternoon trial that followed, Chief Judge Ji did not make any further comments regarding the photos released by the Democratic Party and proceeded with the trial as usual.
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 thus the truth of the allegations has not been confirmed," and explained that it had no position to disclose. However, on May 16, the Supreme Court's Ethics Inspectorate stated, "We are verifying the facts related to the allegations."
Chief Judge Ji is presiding over the trial of former President Yoon Sukyeol on insurrection charges. In addition to former President Yoon, he is also in charge of the trials of former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun and Commissioner General Cho Jiho of the National Police Agency.
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