"Received 10 Million Won in Legal Advice" Sitting Judge Admits to Violating Kim Young-ran Act

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] A sitting judge who was indicted on charges of receiving money for giving legal advice to an acquaintance admitted all charges at the first trial.

Judge Kim Doo-hee of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 9 held the first trial for two defendants: Chief Judge A (57) of the Daejeon District Court, who is accused of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (Kim Young-ran Act), and acquaintance B (54, female).

Judge A is accused of giving legal advice to acquaintance B twice, in July and September 2017, at a restaurant run by his wife and receiving a total of 10 million won.

B is accused of seeking legal advice from Judge A after her former brother-in-law C, who had jointly operated a psychological counseling center with her, accused her of embezzlement.

Both Judge A and B admitted all charges during the trial. However, B had previously denied the charges to the prosecution but changed her stance at this trial.

The Kim Young-ran Act prohibits public officials from receiving money or valuables exceeding 1 million won per occasion or 3 million won per year from a single person, regardless of their official duties.

The next trial is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the 4th.

Meanwhile, Judge A was disciplined with a six-month suspension and a fine of 10 million won by the Supreme Court Judicial Disciplinary Committee on the 22nd of last month. Under the Judicial Disciplinary Act, disciplinary actions include reprimand, pay reduction, and suspension, with suspension ranging from three months to one year.

He was reportedly recommended as a candidate for the chief judge of the Gwangju District Court earlier this year but voluntarily withdrew.

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