Presiding Judge Kim Miri, on Leave During Trial of Cho Kuk and Choi Kang-wook Cases, to Return on 21st Next Month

Seoul Central District Court, Seocho-dong, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Kim Miri, Chief Judge (52, Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 26), who suddenly took a leave of absence while presiding over the case of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including admission bribery and bribery, will return to work next month.

According to the court's internal network 'CourtNet' on the 30th, Chief Judge Kim will return to the Seoul Central District Court on the 21st of next month.

Before her leave, Chief Judge Kim served as the presiding judge of the 21st Criminal Division, handling numerous politically sensitive cases such as the case of former Minister Cho, the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, and the violation of the Public Official Election Act by Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party.

In particular, she broke the convention of not working at one court for more than three years and caused controversy by remaining at the Seoul Central District Court for four years in the personnel reshuffle earlier this year.

However, after the 21st Criminal Division was reorganized into a collegial panel where three chief judges divided the roles of presiding judge and lead judge according to the case earlier this year, she submitted a leave of absence for health reasons in April and took a three-month medical leave.

Even if Chief Judge Kim returns, it is unlikely that she will be assigned again to the 21st Criminal Division. Currently, Chief Judge Ma Seong-young (56, Class 29) is assigned to her position and is conducting trials.

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