Im Seong-geun "I Ask Forgiveness from Those Who Suffered Pain or Inconvenience Because of Me"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 26th, Im Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court, said, "I sincerely ask for forgiveness from everyone who has suffered pain or inconvenience because of me." In a retirement message posted on the court's internal network that day, Chief Judge Im stated, "I am deeply sorry for causing you great concern." He will retire on the 28th.

Chief Judge Im said, "Since meeting inevitably leads to parting, I knew I would leave the court someday, but I never imagined I would leave without even saying goodbye." However, he did not express any particular stance, including an apology, regarding the allegations of 'interference in trials.' He also did not directly mention the fact that he was impeached in the judicial impeachment trial. Chief Judge Im said, "Now, I am taking off the heavy judicial robe that was burdensome beyond my ability and leaving the court," adding, "I will always think about and live a life practicing what I can do to repay the grace of the court and the court family."

He was impeached by the National Assembly on the 4th while on trial for allegations of interfering in the trial of the Seoul bureau chief of the Japanese Sankei Shimbun, who was indicted for defamation for reporting on former President Park Geun-hye's 'scandal rumors' on the day of the Sewol ferry sinking. In the first trial, he was acquitted based on the legal principle that 'there is no abuse of authority without authority,' but the court pointed out that his actions were "unconstitutional acts infringing on judicial independence." The Constitutional Court originally planned to hold the first preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial on this day, but the first trial was postponed until after Chief Judge Im's retirement due to the prolonged recusation hearing of Justice Lee Seok-tae.

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