"A Serious Crime That Undermines Judicial Fairness and Public Trust in Judges"
A broker who was indicted by the special prosecutor's team investigating Geonhee Kim (Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki) on charges of profiting alongside geomancer Jeon Seongbae has been sentenced to two years in prison. This marks the first instance in which a verdict has been delivered in the first trial among the cases prosecuted by the three major special investigation teams (Insurrection, Geonhee Kim, and Private Chae).
Seongbae Jeon, a geomancer identified as the channel through which various solicitations were conveyed to Kim Geonhee, is entering the West building of the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the special prosecutor Min Joong-ki's office is located on August 18, 2025. Photo by Dongju Yoon
On December 8, the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyeonbok) sentenced Lee Seongjae to two years in prison and ordered the forfeiture of 400 million won for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes by accepting money for influence peddling.
Lee was indicted on charges of receiving 400 million won in exchange for brokering judicial solicitations, claiming that if he asked Jeon-who is close to the presidential couple, influential politicians from the People Power Party, and high-ranking legal professionals-he could secure an acquittal in court.
The court stated, "This crime seriously undermines the independence and fairness of the judiciary, as well as public trust in the conduct of judges. From a judicial policy perspective, there is a need for severe punishment," explaining the reasoning behind the sentencing.
The court found Lee guilty on all charges. The court ruled, "There is a comprehensive and overarching quid pro quo relationship between the 400 million won received under the pretext of brokering solicitations and the solicitations made through Jeon. It is also clear that the defendant was fully aware of the corrupt nature of these transactions."
Previously, at the sentencing hearing on November 14, the special prosecutor's team had requested a four-year prison sentence and forfeiture of 400 million won for Lee. The team stated, "Receiving 400 million won for the purpose of solicitation and influence peddling constitutes a serious corruption crime. Acting as the closest aide to the geomancer, who is close to the presidential couple, Lee pursued personal gain, as evidenced by Kim Geonhee's statement that the geomancer held power. The acceptance of money was revealed as part of this conduct."
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