Judge Who Dismissed Kim Bong-hyun's Warrant Is High School Alumni with Defense Lawyer... Allegations of Collusion Raised

Judge Who Dismissed First Arrest and Communication Warrants
Former President Kim's Lawyer and High School Alumni at the Time

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Criticism continues over the court's repeated rejection of the prosecution's requests to secure the custody of Kim Bong-hyun, the former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the Lime Asset Management redemption suspension scandal that caused damage worth about 1.6 trillion won, as his whereabouts remain unknown on the fifth day since his escape. In particular, some have raised suspicions of collusion based on the fact that the presiding judge and Kim’s defense attorney were alumni of the same school.

The Seoul Southern District Court repeatedly dismissed the prosecution’s two arrest warrants and a communication warrant request, citing concerns about illegal departure, as well as a bail revocation request, all before Kim’s escape.

The prosecution filed arrest warrants for Kim on September 14 and October 7 last year to secure his custody after he was released on bail in July. However, the court dismissed all of these requests. The prosecution last filed a bail revocation request on the 26th of last month, but the court only belatedly approved it at 2:50 p.m. on the 11th, after Kim had already fled. Additionally, the court dismissed the prosecution’s request for a communication warrant for a burner phone on the 21st of last month, citing a lack of necessity and reasonableness.

Despite sufficient circumstances to suspect Kim’s intention to flee, the court overlooked these signs. Although it was taken into account that Kim had been on trial in custody for about 14 months without causing any particular problems, critics argue that more caution was needed given that he was a suspect in a serious financial crime involving damage worth about 100 billion won.

Meanwhile, allegations of preferential treatment have been raised as it was revealed that the judge who dismissed the first arrest and communication warrants and Kim’s defense attorney were high school seniors and juniors and had previously worked together at the Seoul Central District Court. It was confirmed that the defense attorney resigned on the 8th, three days before Kim’s escape.

Meanwhile, as evidence of meticulous preparation for the escape has been continuously uncovered, there is speculation that Kim may have already fled to another country. Kim has previously experienced about five months of evasion. On the day of his escape, the prosecution issued a public warrant for Kim, and the Korea Coast Guard has strengthened vessel inspections at ports and harbors nationwide. The police have also launched an investigation into Kim on charges of damaging public property.

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