Kim Hak-ui Case Returns to Supreme Court... Prosecution Files Final Appeal Against Reversal and Remand Trial Ruling

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The case of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, who was acquitted of bribery charges in the retrial, is once again being reviewed by the Supreme Court.

According to the legal community on the 3rd, the prosecution filed an appeal with the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judges Park Yeon-wook, Kim Kyu-dong, Lee Hee-jun) against the retrial verdict that acquitted former Vice Minister Kim.

Former Vice Minister Kim was accused of receiving 43 million won from construction businessman Choi, who acted as a "sponsor" from 2000 to 2011, but was acquitted of this charge in the first trial. However, in the appellate trial, the court recognized the quid pro quo and sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months in prison and a fine of 5 million won.

The Supreme Court pointed out that Choi's testimony in court differed from his statements during the prosecution's investigation and that the case became increasingly unfavorable to former Vice Minister Kim as it proceeded through the courts, and sent the case back to the Seoul High Court. The retrial court acquitted former Vice Minister Kim on the 27th of last month. Some bribery charges were dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

At the time of the initial indictment, former Vice Minister Kim was also accused of receiving money and sexual favors from construction businessman Yoon Joong-chun, but these charges were either dismissed or acquitted due to the statute of limitations or lack of evidence.

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