Court Sentences Im Jongheon to Two Years in Prison, Three Years Probation
Judges "Neglected Duty, Undermined Trust in Judiciary"
Im Jongheon, the former Deputy Director of the National Court Administration, who was identified as the "practical person in charge" in the so-called judicial power abuse scandal and was brought to trial, received a suspended prison sentence again in his appellate trial.
The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 12-1 (Presiding Judge Hong Jiyeong) on the 27th sentenced former Deputy Director Im to two years in prison with three years of probation, the same as the first trial, on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.
The court pointed out, "Judges must fulfill their duty to support fair trials without being influenced by other state powers or internal and external forces, but he neglected this responsibility and undermined the public's trust in the judiciary."
The court continued, "The defendant expressed that he feels an immense sense of responsibility for damaging the hard-earned trust in the judiciary and causing disappointment and shock to court members, and he was also detained for over 500 days. Considering both favorable and unfavorable circumstances for the defendant, including the motive, means, and consequences of the crime, as well as the overall context, we have determined the sentence accordingly."
Former Deputy Director Im was indicted and detained in November 2018 on four categories of charges: ▲ seeking to strengthen the status and interests of the court, such as promoting the establishment of an appellate court ▲ suppressing internal and external critics ▲ unjustly protecting the organization ▲ creating slush funds. He faced more than 30 charges, including abuse of authority, dereliction of duty, leaking official secrets, obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means, embezzlement of state funds under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and falsification and use of official documents. In February last year, the first trial found him guilty on some charges and sentenced him to two years in prison with three years of probation.
During the appellate trial, the prosecution sought the same sentence as in the first trial, seven years in prison. In his final statement at the appellate trial in September, Im stated, "As a result, I have brought a desperate crisis to the judiciary," and added, "I sincerely reflect on myself and seek forgiveness for the judiciary's severe internal turmoil and the ongoing stagnation of judicial reform."
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