Will the Judges for Major Cases like the Cho Kuk Family and Samba be Replaced?... Attention on Next Month's Regular Personnel Changes

Seoul Central District Court / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The first preparatory hearing date for the trial of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk has been postponed from the 29th to the 12th of next month. It is said that this measure was taken in consideration of the regular judicial personnel reshuffle scheduled for next month. It is known that a significant number of trial panels handling important ongoing cases, including the case of former Minister Cho, will be affected by this reshuffle. Attention is also focused on how the trial outcomes might change depending on the personnel changes.

According to the court on the 28th, one of the important cases expected to see a change in the trial panel through the upcoming regular reshuffle is the 'Cho Kuk family corruption' trial. The replacement of Chief Judge Kim Miri of the 21st Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Court, who is presiding over former Minister Cho's case, is being discussed. Considering the court personnel rotation system that occurs every 2 to 3 years, Chief Judge Kim, who is in her second year this year, has a considerable possibility of being transferred this time. It is also known that Chief Judge Song In-kwon of the 25th Criminal Division, who is presiding over the trial of Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim of Dongyang University, is a subject of the reshuffle. As he is in his third year this year, his transfer is highly likely unless there is an unexpected change.

The cases they are handling have scheduled trial dates on the 31st and a preparatory hearing on the 12th of next month, respectively. Former Minister Cho's case was originally scheduled to have its first preparatory hearing on the 29th, but it was decided on the day before to postpone it by about two weeks. If the two cases are consolidated, regardless of the current assignment, the trial is likely to be handled by a newly formed trial panel.

At the Seoul High Court, it is reported that Chief Judge Cha Mun-ho of the 2nd Criminal Division, who is presiding over the appellate trial of Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province, is on the personnel reshuffle list. Chief Judge Cha postponed the scheduled verdict at the resumed trial on the 21st and announced that he would resume the arguments. The next hearing is set for March 10, after the personnel reshuffle takes effect. This case is also highly likely to be taken over by a new trial panel. Considering that newly assigned panels usually have a recess period to familiarize themselves with the case details immediately after the reshuffle, a prolonged trial seems inevitable.

At the Seoul Administrative Court, Chief Judge Park Seong-gyu of the 3rd Administrative Division, who is handling the administrative lawsuit involving Samsung Biologics, is likely to be transferred. This case is a lawsuit filed by Samsung Biologics against the Securities and Futures Commission seeking cancellation of sanctions for accounting fraud. The first hearing was held in May last year, and the trial resumed on the 15th after eight months. The next hearing is scheduled for March 18. This case is also expected to be reassigned to a new trial panel for further proceedings.

The upcoming regular reshuffle will be announced on the 31st, ahead of the nationwide High Court Chief Judges' personnel changes effective on the 13th of next month. On the 6th of next month, the personnel changes for High Court judges and District Court Chief Judges and below, effective on the 24th, will be announced.

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