"Kim Bong-hyun's Trial Resumes After 'Bail Release'... 'Grateful to the Court for Guaranteeing the Right to Defense'"

Trial on Special Act resumed on the 23rd... First trial after bail
Former CEO of Suwon Passenger partner company "I don't know much about the case"

[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) held a hearing on the 23rd for Kim, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. This was the first trial held after Kim was released on bail.

Before the trial began, Kim expressed his gratitude to the court, saying, "I sincerely thank you for granting bail." He added, "I am well aware of the court's efforts to protect the right to defense," and "Once again, I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the trial as a free man."

The court had approved Kim’s bail request on the 20th. The court explained the reason for approval, stating, "Since the number of witnesses requested reaches several dozen, requiring a considerable period for the trial, and to ensure the defendant's right to defense, bail is granted."

Although there are restrictions on bail release, such as a deposit of 30 million won, 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 implicated in the Lime scandal, Kim’s trial is taking a different course.

Kim went into hiding after being investigated by the police in January last year for embezzlement of funds from Suwon Passenger Transport, but was arrested by the 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 embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and forgery of private documents. In August, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, investigating the Lime scandal, filed additional charges including violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (embezzlement, fraud, mediation, etc.), breach of trust mediation, and aiding a fugitive.

Most key figures, including former Lime Vice President Lee Jong-pil, who were identified as masterminds behind the Lime scandal and went into hiding with Kim before being caught, have already received first trial verdicts. However, Kim’s trial alone has been sluggish. As the court previously stated, the trial has been repeatedly postponed due to the large number of witnesses and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 separate trial. However, after three preparatory hearings, the first trial is scheduled for September 20. This means the main trial will begin nine months after the indictment in December last year.

In fact, with neither trial progressing properly, Kim’s release on bail allows him to fully prepare for his defense. This contrasts with former President Lee Jong-pil and others, who remain detained while undergoing first trial verdicts and appeals.

Kim’s legal team views this as a natural step. His lawyer stated, "There has been no case where a defendant was detained for over a year during trial, and other defendants had their bail requests approved as early as April last year," adding, "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 argued, "Kim wrote a letter from prison on October 16 last year to report this as a whistleblower, which should be considered a public interest disclosure," and "If prosecution and punishment proceed, many public interest whistleblowers will be discouraged," insisting that the indictment itself should not have been made.

Meanwhile, at the trial, a former CEO of a partner company of Suwon Passenger Transport appeared as a witness and testified, "I was only the nominal CEO and do not know the details of the contract. There was a separate person who actually managed operations," indicating limited knowledge of the case.

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