Courts Resume After Winter Break, Trials of Cho Kuk Family and State Affairs Manipulation Proceed One After Another

Next Week, High-Interest Trial Resumes
Lee Myung-bak's Appeal Trial Closing Arguments Held
Decision on Lee Chun-jae's Retrial Expected

Seoul Central District Court / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] Courts across the country will conclude their two-week winter recess on the 3rd. The Seoul High Court and Seoul Central District Court are busy preparing for the resumption of trial schedules starting next week.

According to the courts, the Seoul Central District Court, the largest district court in the country, is expected to have a nonstop schedule immediately following the recess. On the 5th, the assignment of the trial panel for former Minister Cho, who was indicted on the last day of last year, is expected to take place. Previously, the prosecution filed a motion to consolidate the case with the trial of Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim of Dongyang University while indicting former Minister Cho without detention. On the 9th, a preparatory hearing for Professor Jeong's trial is scheduled. Both indictments related to the 'forgery of the award certificate' charges will be heard. A decision is also expected regarding whether to consolidate the case with the admission fraud and private equity fund allegations indictment filed by the prosecution in November.

At the Seoul High Court, trials attracting public attention are scheduled to be held consecutively. On the 8th, the appellate trial verdict hearing for former President Lee Myung-bak, who was indicted on suspicion of being the actual owner of DAS, will take place. On that day, sentencing arguments will include one hour of final argument by the prosecution, one hour and 30 minutes of final argument by the defense, and 30 minutes for former President Lee's final statement. On the 17th, the fourth hearing of the retrial of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's 'state affairs manipulation case' is scheduled. CJ Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik is expected to testify as a witness regarding whether companies' bribery during the Park Geun-hye administration was passive.

Meanwhile, at the Suwon District Court, a decision on whether to commence a retrial for the 8th serial murder case involving Lee Chun-jae, which has sparked controversy over the 'true culprit,' is expected immediately after the recess. Considering the regular court personnel reshuffle scheduled for February, it is anticipated that the decision on whether to start the retrial will be made around mid-month. The fact that all three judges, including the presiding judge of the Criminal Division 12, which is handling this case, are subject to this personnel reshuffle adds weight to this expectation. If a decision to commence the retrial is made, the Suwon District Court will promptly hold a preparatory hearing to listen to the prosecution's and defense's evidence plans and proceed with the process of selecting necessary evidence and witnesses for the retrial. However, the current trial panel's role is expected to end with the preparatory hearing. Considering the regular personnel reshuffle, the formal trial proceedings are likely to be handled by a newly formed trial panel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.