Trial preparation date postponed three times, finally released on bail... Trial increasingly favorable to Kim Bong-hyun

Court: "Many witnesses and protection of defense rights"

Atmosphere different from other related parties
Lee Jongpil and others have also finished first trial sentencing

Three pretrial hearings held
Attorney Kim: "Whistleblowing should be taken into account"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The trial has entered a new phase as former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun, identified as the mastermind behind the Lime Asset Management scandal, was released on bail.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) approved Kim’s bail request on the 20th. The court stated, "Since the number of requested witnesses reaches several dozen, requiring a considerable period for the trial, and to guarantee the defendant’s right to defense, bail is granted."

Although there are restrictions on bail release such as a deposit of 300 million KRW, residence restrictions, and a travel ban, Kim will now stand trial without detention. This comes 1 year and 3 months after his arrest in April last year. Given this situation, analysts note that unlike other main figures accused in the Lime scandal, Kim’s trial is taking a different course.

Kim went into hiding in January last year while under police investigation for embezzlement of funds from Suwon Passenger Transport, but was arrested by police on April 23 of the same year and detained three days later. In May last year, the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Kim on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement) and forgery of private documents. Subsequently, in August, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, investigating the Lime scandal, filed additional charges against him for violations of the same act (embezzlement, fraud, mediation, etc.), breach of trust mediation, and aiding a criminal.

Most key figures, including former Lime Vice President Lee Jong-pil, who was also identified as a mastermind and went into hiding before being caught, have already completed their first trial verdicts. However, Kim’s trial alone has been sluggish. As the court previously noted, the number of requested witnesses is in the dozens, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused multiple trial postponements.

Additionally, in October last year, Kim exposed allegations of prosecutors’ drinking parties and political lobbying through so-called ‘prison letters,’ which also led to a trial. However, after three preparatory hearings, the first trial is scheduled to be held only on September 20. This means the main trial will begin nine months after the indictment in December last year.

In reality, neither of the two trials has proceeded properly, but with Kim’s release on bail and his non-detained status, he can now fully prepare for his trial. This contrasts with former President Lee Jong-pil and others, who remain detained, have received first trial verdicts, and are currently undergoing appeals.

Kim’s legal team considers this a natural step. His defense attorney said, "There has been no case where a defendant was detained for over a year before trial, and other defendants had their bail requests approved as early as April last year. Now, with the defendant’s right to defense guaranteed, he can properly prepare for trial."

Regarding the stalled trial related to the prosecutors’ drinking party allegations, the defense added, "The information was reported by Kim through a letter written from prison on October 16 last year and should be considered a public interest report. If prosecution and punishment proceed, many public interest whistleblowers will be discouraged," arguing that the indictment itself should not have occurred.

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