Criminal Division 33 Expanded to Four Judges with Addition of One Judge
The Seoul Central District Court will assign an additional judge to the panels handling the cases of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Bopsa.
Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo appeared as a defendant on September 30 at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, for a trial on charges including aiding and abetting the leader of a rebellion and perjury. 2025.9.30 Photo by Joint Press Corps
On September 30, the Seoul Central District Court held a Judge Work Allocation Committee meeting and announced, "To support the prompt and fair trial of the rebellion case, the National Court Administration has decided to assign one additional judge to the Central District Court effective October 10."
The Central District Court explained, "One additional judge will be assigned to Criminal Division 33 (presided over by Chief Judge Lee Jingwan), which is in charge of major rebellion cases."
The newly assigned judge is Judge Lim Jieun of Civil Division 18. This panel is currently hearing the case of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, prosecuted by the special investigation team for rebellion, as well as the case of Jeon Seongbae, prosecuted by the Kim Gunhee special investigation team.
With this change in work allocation, the number of judges in Criminal Division 33 will increase from three to four. All criminal panels have previously operated with three judges.
The court stated, "This measure is in line with the support plan for special prosecutor cases that was announced to the media on the 18th," adding, "We will continue to develop measures to ensure prompt and fair trials in the future."
Jeon Seongbae, a geomancer accused of acting as a channel for various solicitations to Kim Gunhee, is entering the West building of KT Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the special prosecutor Min Junggi's office is set up on August 18, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongju
The Central District Court previously announced on the 18th that, to ensure the prompt and fair progress of trials in the three major special prosecutor cases, it had developed support measures such as assigning an additional judge to Criminal Division 25 (presided over by Chief Judge Ji Guyoun), which handles rebellion trials.
In addition, the Central District Court will replace the presiding judge of Criminal Division 32 (presided over by Chief Judge Kang Wansu), which is hearing the case of former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin on charges of performing important duties in connection with the rebellion.
The court explained that due to the presiding judge taking an extended medical leave, the position became unexpectedly vacant, and Chief Judge Ryu Kyungjin of Criminal Division 10 has been appointed as the new presiding judge.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
