Case shifts from Criminal Division 4 to Criminal Division 10 after judges cite shared law institute class
A court has changed the panel set to hear the first-trial case of Ji Gwi-yeon, a presiding judge at the Seoul Northern District Court. Ji was indicted on allegations of receiving drink-related hospitality.
The Seoul Central District Court said Tuesday that it reassigned Ji's case, which involves charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The case was moved to Criminal Division 10, presided over by Judge Lee Jae-uk.
The court had earlier assigned the case to Criminal Division 4, led by Judge Park Gang-gyun. Park and Ji belong to the same 31st class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. In response, Park called for the case to be reassigned, saying, "Since the presiding judge and I are from the same class at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, there is concern this could raise misunderstandings about the fairness of the trial."
The court determined there were valid grounds for reassignment and, following a random computerized allocation process, reassigned the case that day to Criminal Division 10.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials earlier indicted Ji without detention on Friday on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Ji is accused of having two lawyers pay 4.09 million won ($3,050) for drinks at a members-only bar in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around August 2023. He allegedly received hospitality worth 1.36 million won in that single instance. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act requires punishment for public officials who receive money or entertainment worth more than 1 million won from the same person in a single instance. This applies regardless of whether it is tied to their duties or given in exchange for favors.
Considering that the providers of the hospitality were lawyers, the anti-corruption agency also investigated whether the gifts were made in exchange for favors. However, it did not apply bribery charges, citing factors including the fact that the lawyers had no cases pending before Ji's panel at the time.
Meanwhile, Ji served as presiding judge of Criminal Panel 25 at the Seoul Central District Court. In that role, Ji oversaw the first trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of masterminding an insurrection and sentenced Yoon to life in prison. Ji was later transferred to the Seoul Northern District Court in the regular personnel reshuffle in February.
yeongdai@heraldcorp.com
