'Reopening of Kim Bong-hyun Trial, Key Figure in the "Lime Scandal," After 4 Months'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The trial of Kim Bong-hyun, the key figure in the 'Lime Asset Management scandal' and former chairman of Star Mobility, resumed after four months.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) held a hearing on the 2nd for former chairman Kim and former director Kim of Star Mobility. The court organized the positions of the prosecution and the defendants and scheduled additional witness examinations.

The trial of former chairman Kim, which was held in early December last year, had been continuously postponed after his side filed a motion to disqualify the court on the 10th of the same month. Although the court did not accept the motion, the trial was further delayed as Kim's side appealed. Subsequently, the composition of the court was changed due to personnel changes in February.

Former chairman Kim was indicted on charges of embezzling funds from Suwon Passenger Transport and Star Mobility and providing money and entertainment to politicians and prosecutors.

Former director Kim, who was indicted alongside former chairman Kim, applied for bail again to the court. At the bail hearing held after the trial that day, he claimed, "Due to stomach cancer surgery I underwent seven years ago, my health is poor, making it difficult to endure detention," and added, "During the past year of detention, I have proactively cooperated with the trial and witness examination procedures."

The prosecution emphasized, "There is a risk of flight by the defendant, and there is also concern that evidence may be destroyed by coordinating testimonies with witnesses after release," and stressed, "Considering the seriousness of the case, a trial under detention is necessary."

Former director Kim was indicted on charges including conspiring with former chairman Kim to embezzle 24.1 billion won of company funds from Suwon Passenger Transport, a bus company in Gyeonggi Province. He had also applied for bail last year citing health issues but was rejected by the court.

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