Group alleges falsification of official documents, losses to public funds

Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae arrives at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on Friday. [Yonhap]
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae arrives at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on Friday. [Yonhap]

Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae has been referred to the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency over allegations surrounding bonus payments to Supreme Court justices and the use of official entertainment funds.

The civic group Candlelight Action said Friday it had filed a complaint with the agency against Jo and unidentified court administrative officials on charges including falsification and use of forged official documents and losses to public funds under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

"Equality before the law must first apply to those who enforce it," the group said, adding that charges of occupational embezzlement and violations of the Anti-Graft Act should be considered depending on the outcome of the investigation, and that the possible involvement of the court administrator and other related officials should be examined.

Jo faces the same allegations in a separate complaint filed with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials by the Rebuilding Korea Party and others. Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Director Kim Ji-yong told a National Assembly confirmation hearing on Wednesday that he believed an investigation would be possible if a complaint were filed.

The complaints stem from a Board of Audit and Inspection review of the Supreme Court's budget execution. The board revealed in its regular audit results in August that the Supreme Court had paid each justice an average of 2 million won ($1,480) per month in cash bonuses from 2022 through April 2024.

The audit also found that the court purchased more than 100 million won worth of wine using official entertainment funds between 2022 and 2025, with the stated purpose recorded in vague terms. The ruling party has also raised allegations that Jo inflated the number of attendees when charging meal expenses to the entertainment budget.

The Court Administration Office has said Jo was not involved in the matters in question. It also said the incorrect recording of attendee numbers in the entertainment fund documents was the result of a clerical error by a staff member.


kacew@heraldcorp.com