Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentences Again for Three Judges Involved in Judicial Scandal Previously Acquitted in First Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution has requested prison sentences in the appellate trial for judges who were acquitted in the first trial on charges of official secret leakage related to the 'Judicial Farming Scandal' allegations.

On the 18th, during the appellate trial sentencing hearing for the official secret leakage charges against Chief Judges Shin Gwang-ryeol, Jo Ui-yeon, and Seong Chang-ho, held by the Criminal Division 8 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Lee Gyun-yong, Lee Seung-cheol, and Lee Byung-hee), the prosecution requested the court to "impose the same sentences as in the original trial."

Previously, in the first trial, the prosecution sought a two-year prison sentence for Chief Judge Shin and one-year prison sentences each for Chief Judges Jo Ui-yeon and Seong Chang-ho.

The prosecution argued, "The report in this case contains many details that qualify as official secrets unrelated to judicial misconduct."

On the other hand, Chief Judge Shin and others denied receiving instructions from the Court Administration Office and denied any conspiracy, arguing that the prosecution's indictment was unjust.

Chief Judge Shin and others were indicted on charges of collecting and reporting to the Court Administration Office information about the prosecution's investigation revealed in warrant case records to prevent investigations targeting judges during the 2016 'Jung Un-ho Gate' scandal.

At that time, Chief Judge Shin was the Senior Chief Judge of Criminal Affairs at the Seoul Central District Court, and Chief Judges Jo Ui-yeon and Seong Chang-ho were judges in charge of warrants.

However, the first trial court did not acknowledge the prosecution's claim of an organized conspiracy, and regardless of any conspiracy, acquitted Chief Judge Shin of charges related to leaking some information to the Court Administration Office, ruling that such information did not constitute 'official secrets.'

The appellate trial sentencing hearing for Chief Judge Shin and others is scheduled for January 29 next year.

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