The Century's Consecutive Trials... November is the Court's Time

March 3: Testimony on Cho Kuk's Abuse of Power
March 5: Sentencing Decision in Jung Kyung-shim's First Trial
March 6: Kim Kyung-soo's Appeal Trial Verdict
March 9: Lee Jae-yong's Retrial Attendance

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] Trials attracting public attention, including former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his wife, Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province, and Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, will be intensively held in early November.

According to the court on the 2nd, the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) will hold the 8th hearing on the abuse of authority charges against former Minister Cho on the 3rd. Cho, who is a defendant in this case and a witness regarding allegations of suppressing the investigation into former Busan Deputy Mayor Yoo Jae-soo, will appear in court that day. Previously, he also appeared as a witness in the trial concerning his wife Professor Jung Kyung-shim’s admission fraud case. At that time, he exercised the right granted by Article 148 of the Criminal Procedure Act (the right to refuse testimony about relatives). However, Cho is expected to actively defend himself in his own trial this time. In a previous hearing, when asked by the prosecution whether he would exercise his right to refuse testimony, he responded, “I will answer.” As a criminal law expert, attention is focused on how Cho will exercise his right to defense through his testimony.

Two days later, on the 5th, the first trial sentencing hearing for Professor Jung will be held under the 25-2nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lim Jeong-yeop). This marks the conclusion of the trial about a year after she was indicted last November on charges including admission fraud involving her children and illegal investment in private equity funds. The prosecution will present its sentencing recommendation, and Professor Jung will deliver her final statement. Considering the high social interest, the Seoul Central District Court announced a lottery for viewing tickets to be held on the 4th in the Cheongsil Hall of the courthouse.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 6th, the appellate sentencing hearing for Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province, concerning the 'presidential election opinion manipulation' issue, is scheduled. This sentencing comes 22 months after the first trial. The 2nd Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Ham Sang-hoon) will deliver the verdict on Kim’s guilt or innocence that day. Unlike the first trial court, which focused on whether Kim attended the “King Crab demonstration,” the appellate court has concentrated on the “comment manipulation” aspect. Both the special prosecutor and Kim’s defense submitted their final briefs last month. The sentencing is directly linked to Kim’s political career, as he is regarded as a potential presidential candidate within the ruling party.

On the 9th, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics will appear in court for the retrial of the state affairs manipulation case. He was unable to attend the preparatory hearing held the day after his father, Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, passed away on the 25th of last month. The 1st Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Jung Jun-young), which is handling this case, reminded the special prosecutor at the preparatory hearing to submit a candidate for a professional expert to review Samsung’s Compliance Committee activities by the 29th of last month. The special prosecutor has recommended a candidate expert in response to the court’s request. The identity of the expert recommended by the special prosecutor has not been disclosed. However, it is known that the person is one who has previously expressed negative opinions about Samsung.

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