‘First Conviction in Judicial Farming Scandal’ Lee Gyu-jin Appeals Suspended Sentence Verdict

Former Supreme Court Sentencing Commission Standing Member Lee Gyu-jin [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Lee Gyu-jin, former standing member of the Supreme Court Sentencing Commission, who was found guilty in the first trial for alleged abuse of judicial administrative power during former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae's tenure, has appealed the verdict.

According to the legal community on the 25th, Lee submitted an appeal to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 32 (Presiding Judge Yoon Jong-seop) the day before, rejecting the first trial sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with 3 years probation.

Previously, Lee was indicted and brought to trial on charges of illegally collecting confidential information from the Constitutional Court, interfering in trials related to the former Unified Progressive Party, and surveilling judges.

At the sentencing hearing, the court pointed out, "As a judge dispatched to the Constitutional Court, he exceeded the legitimate scope of his duties and obstructed the exercise of judicial authority established by the Constitution," adding, "His role and responsibility cannot be considered light." However, the court added, "Considering that the orders for each offense were apparently given by former Deputy Chief of the Judicial Administration Office Lim Jong-heon, and that the actions were performed under the hierarchical structure of judicial administrative power."

Additionally, the court sentenced Lim Min-geol, former Planning and Coordination Officer of the Judicial Administration Office, who was also indicted, to 10 months imprisonment with 2 years probation. However, former Jeonju District Court Chief Judge Bang Chang-hyun and former Seoul High Court Chief Judge Shim Sang-cheol were acquitted.

After the sentencing, Lim also expressed his intention to appeal in court but has not yet submitted an appeal to the court.

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