Trial of Kim Bong-hyun, Key Figure in the 'Lime Scandal,' Delayed Again

COVID-19 Infection Among Nambu Detention Center Staff
Uncertainty Over Resumption for the Time Being

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The trial of Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the Lime Asset Management (Lime) scandal that caused damages worth around 1.6 trillion won, has been postponed once again. With a staff member at Seoul Southern Detention Center testing positive for COVID-19, many trial courts have adjourned, making the resumption of trials uncertain for the time being.

According to the Seoul Southern District Court, the trial dates scheduled for the 19th and 26th regarding Kim’s violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement) have been postponed. As a result, the trial has been at a standstill since December 4 last year. Previously, the trial had not been held for over three months due to Kim’s side filing a motion to disqualify the judges. Recently, the Seoul High Court dismissed Kim’s appeal against the rejection of this motion, raising expectations for the trial to proceed, but it was postponed again.

Kim is currently on trial for the Lime case as well as the embezzlement case involving Suwon Passenger Transport, which have been consolidated. In particular, the indictment for the Suwon Passenger case was filed on April 24 last year, but nearly a year later, neither the first trial verdict nor sentencing has been properly conducted. Considering that most related parties, including former Lime Vice President Lee Jong-pil and Lime CEO Won Jong-jun, have already received first trial verdicts, Kim’s case is exceptional. This is even more so given that Kim has appeared as a witness in the trial of former Gwangju MBC president Lee Kang-se.

Moreover, with a staff member at Seoul Southern Detention Center testing positive for COVID-19 on the 18th, many trials at the Southern District Court have been postponed, making the resumption date unclear. The court has granted leave until the weekend to the Criminal Divisions 11, 12, and 13, as well as Criminal Single Judge Divisions 3, 10, 11, 12, and 14, which were included in the staff member’s movement path, and is monitoring the situation. However, Kim’s trial postponement was decided independently on the 16th.

Meanwhile, Kim was arrested and indicted on charges of embezzling funds from Suwon Passenger Transport and the Korea Veterans Association Mutual Aid Society, and lobbying a former Blue House administrator to leak inspection materials related to Lime from the Financial Supervisory Service. Additionally, he was further indicted for violating the Kim Young-ran Act (Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft) in connection with allegations of ‘providing alcohol to prosecutors.’

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