Journalist

Kwon Kyu-hong
  • Im Sung-keun Sentenced to 3 Years for Duty-Related Death of Marine
    Im Sung-keun Sentenced to 3 Years for Duty-Related Death of Marine Im Sung-keun, the former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the duty-related death of Corporal Chae Soo-geun during a rescue operation in July 2023. On May 8, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 22, led by Judge Jo Hyung-woo, found Im guilty of duty-related manslaughter and violating military law. This sentence is two years lighter than the five-year term sought by the special prosecutor's team investigating the case. Co-defendants Park Sang-hyun, former commander of the 7th Brigade, and Choi Jin-kyu, former artillery battalion commander, received prison sentences of one year and six months each. Lee Yong-min, another former artillery battalion commander, was sentenced to ten months in prison, while Jang Soo-man, the on-site commander, received an eight-month sentence with a two-year probation. Im was charged for failing to provide safety equipment, such as life jackets, to his troops, including Corporal Chae, who died during a submerged search operation in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province. The court found all major charges against Im to be valid. It stated, "If the defendant had simply instructed through Park not to enter the water, the Marines would not have conducted the underwater search. Had they been equipped with the proper gear, the victims could have been rescued quickly." The court emphasized that there was a clear causal link between Im's negligence and the tragic outcome. Additionally, the court ruled that despite a command transferring operational control to the Army, Im continued to exercise command authority by directing the search methods and on-site guidance. The court noted, "Im's directive to 'probe suspicious areas' rather than conducting reconnaissance from the road was interpreted by subordinate commanders as a direct order to enter the water." The court criticized Im for being aware of the underwater search but failing to prohibit it or secure safety equipment, stating, "His focus on results disregarded the lives and safety of his troops, leading to a horrific accident." In explaining the sentencing, the court highlighted a troubling trend where only lower-ranking commanders are held accountable for such incidents. It pointed out that in this case, a senior commander recognized specific risks yet issued orders that exacerbated those dangers. The court noted that Im attempted to shift blame to subordinates and destroy evidence after the incident, causing significant distress to the victims' families, which warranted a severe penalty. In contrast, the court considered Jang's position as difficult due to the unreasonable orders from superiors and noted that the victims' families did not seek punishment for him. This case marks the first trial initiated by the special prosecutor's team since its establishment. It is also the first instance of a ruling in a case investigated by the Marine Corps special prosecutor's office. While Im received a prison sentence, the Marine Corps Reserve Association expressed disappointment over the lighter sentence compared to the special prosecutor's request. Following the verdict, the association held a press conference outside the courthouse, stating, "Considering the irreparable damage to the deceased and their families, the public outrage, and the tarnishing of the Marine Corps' honor and trust in national defense, this ruling cannot be seen as severe enough." They added, "The Marine Corps is respected and admired by the public because it does not abandon its comrades. If the Marine Corps is characterized by shifting blame for a comrade's death, attempting to save oneself, and betraying fellow soldiers, then we no longer wish to be part of it. We urge the Marine Corps Command to reflect deeply on this disgraceful incident and offer a sincere apology." 2026-05-08 12:36:51
  • Supreme Court Confirms Two-Year Prison Sentence for Cho Hyun-bum, CEO of Hankook & Company
    Supreme Court Confirms Two-Year Prison Sentence for Cho Hyun-bum, CEO of Hankook & Company The Supreme Court has confirmed a two-year prison sentence for Cho Hyun-bum, CEO of Hankook & Company, who was charged with embezzlement and breach of trust involving approximately 2 billion won (about $1.5 million). On May 8, the Supreme Court's first division, led by Justice Ma Yong-joo, upheld the lower court's ruling that sentenced Cho to two years in prison under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. Initially, prosecutors alleged that Cho embezzled around 2 billion won of company funds, causing significant financial harm. However, the court ultimately determined the amount involved in the embezzlement and breach of trust to be about 200 million won. The court found Cho guilty of self-dealing, stating he misused corporate funds for personal needs. The ruling detailed several instances of misconduct, including using a corporate credit card for personal expenses, having a company driver perform personal tasks for his spouse, purchasing or leasing five luxury vehicles under the names of affiliates for personal use, and covering moving costs and furniture purchases for his residence with company funds. Conversely, the court acquitted Cho of charges related to improper support of affiliates, a key issue in the case. Prosecutors claimed that Hankook Tire incurred a loss of 13.1 billion won by purchasing tire molds from an affiliate at inflated prices, but both the first and second trial courts dismissed these claims due to insufficient evidence. Additionally, a charge involving a loan of 5 billion won to a company associated with Hyundai Motor was initially deemed guilty in the first trial but was overturned in the second trial based on business judgment considerations, a decision the Supreme Court upheld. Regarding sentencing, the first trial court had imposed a three-year sentence, but the second trial court reduced it to two years after finding some charges not guilty. Both Cho's legal team and the prosecution appealed the verdict, but the Supreme Court rejected both appeals, stating there was no misunderstanding of the law in the lower court's ruling. 2026-05-08 12:29:11
  • Court Upholds Ruling Against Regulatory Sanction on MBC
    Court Upholds Ruling Against Regulatory Sanction on MBC The Seoul High Court has upheld a lower court's ruling that deemed the Korea Communications Commission's (KCC) sanctions against MBC for citing a News Tapa interview as unjust. On May 7, the court ruled in favor of MBC in its lawsuit against the KCC, mirroring the earlier decision. This case stems from a 2021 interview where Kim Man-bae, a major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, claimed that Yoon Seok-yeol, then head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, had intervened in the investigation of Busan Savings Bank. News Tapa reported this in March 2022, and MBC later cited it in its radio program. The KCC issued a warning sanction, stating the report lacked verification, which could negatively impact MBC's license renewal process. MBC rejected the sanction and filed a lawsuit in February 2024, winning in the first instance. The KCC appealed, but the appellate court upheld the initial ruling.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 23:22:15
  • South Korea Appoints 134 New Prosecutors, Doubling Lateral Hires
    South Korea Appoints 134 New Prosecutors, Doubling Lateral Hires The Justice Ministry has appointed 134 new prosecutors, including 86 who passed the 15th bar exam and 48 experienced legal professionals. The ministry said the appointments were confirmed at a ceremony held May 7 at its headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. It said it moved up the selection process and expanded hiring compared with previous years to address a shortage of prosecutors. Of the 86 bar-exam hires, the ministry said it has run a strict, multi-step screening process since last year for law school students, including document reviews, practical-record evaluations, personality tests, and assessments of job and organizational competencies. The group included 41 men and 45 women. The share of lateral hires rose sharply. The ministry appointed 48 experienced legal professionals this year, double last year’s 24 and far above the three selected in each of 2022 and 2023. The ministry said it recruited candidates with at least two years of experience across fields including government agencies, courts, law firms, the Financial Supervisory Service, police, and companies, aiming to strengthen expertise and ease staffing strains. To speed up handling of a growing criminal caseload and add momentum to the organization, the ministry said it began the lateral-hire selection process about three months earlier than usual, reflecting calls from front-line offices for more prosecutors. It said the candidates completed a transparency review that included a recent two-week public disclosure of the roster. The lateral hires include 31 men and 17 women. At the ceremony, Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho urged the new prosecutors to uphold fairness in law enforcement and protect human rights, and to use their varied experience to help the prosecution service earn public trust. The new prosecutors will enter the Justice Ministry’s training institute immediately for practical instruction. Training will vary by background: bar-exam hires will complete about five months of intensive training, including on-the-job practice at prosecutors’ offices, while experienced legal professionals will take about two months of focused training before being assigned to duties. A ministry official said bringing in people from diverse backgrounds would enable more well-rounded investigations and decision-making, adding that the ministry will continue to secure strong legal talent in a timely way to provide high-quality criminal justice services. 2026-05-07 15:36:34
  • Appeals Court Cuts Han Duck-soo Sentence to 15 Years for Role in Martial Law Case
    Appeals Court Cuts Han Duck-soo Sentence to 15 Years for Role in Martial Law Case Han Duck-soo, who was indicted on charges tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 emergency martial law, received a reduced sentence on appeal. On the 7th, the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 12-1 sentenced Han to 15 years in prison for charges including performing key duties in an insurrection. The term was eight years less than the 23-year sentence handed down at the first trial. The panel said, as the lower court did, that Han played a central role in the process of declaring martial law and shook the constitutional order. It found him guilty of carrying out key tasks in the insurrection, including proposing that a Cabinet meeting be convened to make the declaration appear to have undergone normal deliberation, and trying to obtain after-the-fact signatures from Cabinet members after the declaration. The court also treated as participation in the insurrection Han’s actions on the day martial law was declared, when he discussed with former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min at the presidential office specific plans to carry out repression, including blocking major state institutions and cutting electricity and water to media outlets. As in the first trial, the court also convicted Han over allegations that, after martial law was lifted, he conspired with Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to sign and then discard a backdated proclamation drafted by former aide Kang Eui-gu to conceal legal flaws in the original declaration. The court found him guilty of making a false official document and violating the Presidential Records Act. However, unlike the first trial, the appeals court acquitted Han of perjury. The court said Han’s testimony at the Constitutional Court in February last year, when he appeared as a witness in the president’s impeachment trial and said he had not seen the martial law proclamation, was false. But it ruled that his answer to the effect that he did not see Kim hand the document to Lee was difficult to treat as perjury. The court, as the lower court did, did not view as key insurrection duties Han’s act of asking then-ruling People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho about the situation at the National Assembly after the declaration, or his attendance at an outside event as a stand-in at Yoon’s direction. It also maintained not-guilty rulings on allegations that Han delayed Cabinet deliberation after martial law was lifted and on a charge of using a false official document. Han’s lawyers said after the ruling that they could not accept the findings of fact or legal reasoning and indicated they would immediately appeal to the Supreme Court. The special counsel team told reporters that while the sentence fell short of the first-trial term, it viewed the decision as meaningful. The team said it would decide whether to appeal after reviewing the written judgment. 2026-05-07 11:32:11
  • Boucheron sued in South Korea after diamond falls from ring; brand denies refund
    Boucheron sued in South Korea after diamond falls from ring; brand denies refund French luxury jeweler Boucheron has been sued by a South Korean consumer after refusing to exchange or refund a ring that the buyer says had a major defect. The lawsuit follows a claim that a diamond fell out of the ring about a week after purchase, and the company offered only repairs. According to the complaint obtained by Ajunews on the 6th, the customer, identified as A, bought one signature “Quatre Classic Small Ring” in early January at a Boucheron boutique inside a department store in Seoul’s Songpa district. The ring, popular as a wedding band, cost 11.5 million won. A said that about seven days after the purchase, on the 11th of that month, one diamond set in the band was missing. A told the store there had been no external impact or negligence and requested a refund, saying the incident showed a fundamental problem with durability and quality for a high-priced product. Boucheron, however, cited scratches that it said occurred during use and responded that a refund or exchange was not possible, according to the complaint. The company said only repairs could be provided and rejected the request. A filed a damages lawsuit against Boucheron’s South Korean unit, Kering Watch & Jewelry Korea, seeking the return of the purchase price. The law firm representing A said the case qualifies as grounds to cancel the contract under the Civil Act’s warranty liability for defects. Lee Hyun-hee, an attorney at Law Firm YK, said, “The value of luxury jewelry lies in sophisticated design and the completeness of the stone setting,” adding that “a diamond falling out just seven days after purchase is a serious defect that markedly lacks the durability ordinary precious-metal goods should have.” Lee also said the defendant’s repair-only stance “clearly refuses its obligation to deliver goods without defects.” In the lawsuit, the legal team cited not only South Korea’s consumer dispute resolution standards but also France’s consumer code, Code de la consommation, where Boucheron is headquartered. Under that code, defects that arise within two years of delivery are presumed to have existed at the time of sale, and unless the seller proves the consumer is responsible, the seller must provide remedies including repair, exchange or contract cancellation, the filing said. The case has also prompted criticism of how Boucheron operates in South Korea. Kering Watch & Jewelry Korea changed its corporate form in 2022 from a stock company to a limited liability company, drawing claims that the move was intended to avoid mandatory disclosure of external audit reports. An industry official said luxury brands can post enormous sales in South Korea while avoiding management disclosure obligations, and then, when defects occur, cite global guidelines to disregard domestic consumer protection rules. Ajunews said it contacted Boucheron multiple times by phone and email to seek comment on the lawsuit but received no response.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 09:03:19
  • Yulchon Expands Audit Board Pre-Consulting and Audit Review Team
    Yulchon Expands Audit Board Pre-Consulting and Audit Review Team 법무법인(유) 율촌은 감사원과 중앙부처·지방자치단체·공공기관의 사전컨설팅 제도가 기업과 이해관계자까지 확대·활성화되는 흐름에 맞춰 기업의 행정 리스크를 종합 지원하기 위해 조직을 ‘감사원 사전컨설팅&감사 진단팀’으로 확대 개편하고 고도화된 서비스를 본격화한다고 6일 밝혔다. 사전컨설팅은 관공서가 행정업무를 집행하는 과정에서 처분이나 조치 이전 단계에 감사원에 의견을 구하는 제도다. 법령이나 규정이 불명확하거나 현실과 맞지 않고 선례가 없어 이견이나 다툼이 생겼지만 감사 부담으로 판단이 어려운 경우, 사전에 의견을 받아 처리하면 면책을 받을 수 있고 기업은 사전에 권리 구제를 받을 수 있다고 율촌은 설명했다. 율촌은 이 제도가 개발사업, 공공조달, 투자유치, 민투사업, 공장 신·증설, 산업단지 조성, 도시개발, 환경·에너지·전력, 국세, 지방세 등 행정 전 분야에서 활용될 수 있다고 밝혔다. 입찰, 계약 및 설계변경, 사업승인 등 인허가, 개발행위, 각종 건설공사, 도시개발계획, 부담금, 조세 등을 둘러싼 이견이 있을 때 유용하다고 덧붙였다. 감사원은 사전컨설팅 신청권을 관공서의 장 중심에서 기업과 이해관계자도 사실상 소속 단체나 협회를 통해 신청할 수 있도록 감사원 사전컨설팅 제도 운영규정(감사원 훈령)을 5. 4.자로 개정·시행했다(감사원 홈페이지 게재). 율촌은 이에 따라 민간기업의 감사원 사전컨설팅을 비롯해 중앙부처·자치단체·공기업 등 공공기관 사전컨설팅 수요가 늘 것으로 예상했다. 사전컨설팅과 감사·조사 리스크, 내부통제 등 기업활동 전반에서 체계적인 진단과 대응 필요성도 커지고 있다고 했다. 율촌은 원스톱 전문 서비스를 제공할 준비를 마쳤다며 주요 서비스로 △감사원·중앙부처·지자체·공공기관 사전컨설팅 및 감사·조사 진단 △적극행정·내부통제 자문 △기업 행정리스크 사전진단 등을 제시했다. 팀은 부동산건설그룹 대표 김남호 변호사, 조세그룹 대표 김근재 변호사, 최성호 전 감사원 사무총장, 감사원 지방행정감사국·공공기관감사국·재정경제감사국·특별조사국 등에서 수석 감사관으로 근무하며 행정 전반 경험을 쌓은 김실근 고문·세무사를 중심으로 운영된다고 율촌은 밝혔다. 국방 및 공공계약·조달 분야의 정원 변호사, 민간투자사업 및 건설행정 분야의 김태건 변호사, 건설클레임 분야의 정유철·송민경 변호사, 도시정비·개발 분야의 이강만 변호사, 국세 사전진단 및 세무조사 대응 분야의 임정훈 세무사도 핵심 멤버로 참여한다. 또 공공조달·방산, 부동산 개발·금융, 건설 분쟁·제재, 도시계획·인허가, 국세·지방세·관세, 금융규제, 환경에너지, 의료제약, 지적재산권, 공정거래 등 행정업무 전반의 실무 경험이 풍부한 전문가들과 고문단이 함께 업무를 수행한다고 했다. 율촌 관계자는 “율촌 감사원 사전컨설팅&감사진단팀은 감사원·행정기관·공공기관의 정책 및 감사기준, 감사 방향을 정밀하게 분석한다”며 “이를 기반으로 종합적이고 체계적인 사전컨설팅과 감사·조사 리스크 진단 및 대응 역량을 갖춘 것이 강점이며, 기업과 공공기관이 안심할 수 있는 최적의 대응 시스템을 구축했다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 18:06:14
  • Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho urges caution on special counsel bill over alleged prosecutorial fabrication
    Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho urges caution on special counsel bill over alleged prosecutorial fabrication The ruling Democratic Party is pushing a bill to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations of fabricated investigations and indictments by prosecutors, but Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said the measure requires a cautious approach. Speaking at a full meeting of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee on May 6, Jeong responded to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, who asked whether Jeong, “as a conscientious legal professional,” would tell President Lee Jae-myung the bill should not proceed. Jeong said he agreed with the bill’s “basic legislative purpose,” but added that the special counsel’s powers and the scope of cases should be decided through deliberations in the Assembly. Jeong said suspicions were raised during a previous parliamentary investigation that the prosecution, the National Intelligence Service and the Board of Audit and Inspection abused their authority, and that prosecutors in particular may have committed significant illegal or improper acts during investigations. He said evidence had emerged that was difficult to explain away, and that the intent was to review the matter broadly. He added that, as President Lee has said, decisions on the special counsel’s authority and targets should be made through Assembly deliberations. On April 30, the Democratic Party submitted to the Assembly a bill titled the “Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor to Uncover the Truth of Allegations of Fabricated Investigations and Fabricated Indictments by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration,” saying it would reexamine investigations and indictments carried out by the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the NIS and the audit agency during the Yoon government. The bill lists 12 cases for investigation, including seven cases that were subjects of the parliamentary investigation, such as the Daejang-dong development corruption allegations and the Ssangbangwool remittances-to-North-Korea case involving President Lee. It also includes a provision stating the special counsel would handle the maintenance of prosecutions in cases transferred to it, including decisions on whether to maintain them — language that effectively provides a basis for the special counsel to cancel indictments. After the Democratic Party submitted the bill, the opposition accused it of creating a special counsel aimed at canceling indictments to shield President Lee from criminal cases. In response to the criticism, Lee said on May 4 that the Democratic Party should decide the “specific timing and procedures” after gathering public opinion and going through a deliberative process. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 17:03:16
  • Corruption probe indicts sitting chief judge accused of taking bribes from lawyer
    Corruption probe indicts sitting chief judge accused of taking bribes from lawyer The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said it has indicted a sitting chief judge accused of taking tens of millions of won in bribes from a lawyer who was a high school alumnus and providing favors tied to trials. The agency’s Investigation Division 2, led by Chief Prosecutor Kim Su-hwan, said Tuesday it indicted Chief Judge Kim, identified only by his surname, and attorney Jeong on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and giving bribes. Both were indicted without detention. The agency said Kim, who served as presiding judge of criminal appeals at the Jeonju District Court from 2023 to 2025, is suspected of receiving about 33 million won in money and valuables in return for reducing sentences in cases handled by Jeong, a senior alumnus from the same high school. Investigators said Kim handled 21 appeals cases taken by Jeong’s law firm and reduced sentences in 17 of them. They said that in six cases decided after March 2024 — when the alleged bribes were received — Kim also overturned the lower-court rulings. In one case, a defendant caught repeatedly driving drunk while on probation had a five-month prison sentence reduced on appeal to a 5 million won fine, the agency said. In another, a defendant involved in operating an illegal sports gambling site received a suspended sentence after getting a prison term in the lower court. The agency also said Kim received additional benefits, including the free use for one year of a commercial space intended for his spouse’s violin lessons, and had Jeong cover costs for soundproofing and other construction for the lessons. Investigators said they also found an additional 3 million won bribe provided in the form of items such as boxes of nuts. The agency said it confirmed through recorded visitation audio and other materials that word of the alleged arrangement spread inside and outside prisons, leading to a surge of case requests to Jeong’s law firm. The agency said it sought to indict the two in March, but the court rejected the request, citing insufficient explanation regarding the alleged bribe-giving. It later proceeded with indictments without detention. A CIO official said the agency uncovered evidence that a sitting chief judge took bribes from a defense lawyer in cases he was handling, using the trials as the channel. The official said the agency would continue to deal strictly, under law and principle, with corruption that undermines trust in the judiciary. Kim’s side denied any quid pro quo. In a statement, Kim’s attorneys criticized the agency for announcing the indictment, saying the court had found the allegations insufficient during the warrant review process and that the agency indicted him without additional investigation and with claims they said were not true. They said Kim had cooperated with the investigation and that the allegations of receiving money and a quid pro quo were all false. They said he received no benefit related to the commercial space, and that the 3 million won was lesson fees paid to his spouse for 31 violin lessons provided to the lawyer’s child. They said there was “absolutely” no trial deal. They said Kim would fully participate in the court process to establish the truth and urged that unnecessary misunderstandings not spread. 2026-05-06 15:02:09
  • Lee Seong-yoon to Receive 7.63 Million Won in Compensation After Acquittal in Kim Hak-ui Case
    Lee Seong-yoon to Receive 7.63 Million Won in Compensation After Acquittal in Kim Hak-ui Case Lee Seong-yoon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party who was indicted on allegations of improperly pressuring investigators in the so-called “Kim Hak-ui travel ban case” but was ultimately acquitted by the Supreme Court, will receive criminal compensation. According to the government gazette published on the 6th, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 51, chaired by Senior Judge Jeon Bo-seong, ordered the government to pay Lee 7,631,000 won in cost compensation. Under the criminal compensation system, the state compensates defendants whose acquittals are finalized for losses tied to detention or trial. Payments are divided into detention compensation and cost compensation, which covers expenses such as attorney fees and transportation. Lee was indicted by prosecutors in May 2021 on charges that, while serving as head of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s Anti-Corruption and Strong Force Department in June 2019, he pressured the Anyang branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors Office to halt its investigation into the travel ban imposed on former Justice Ministry Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui. Trial courts in the first and second instances found Lee not guilty, and the Supreme Court finalized the acquittal in June last year. The court said it could not rule out the possibility that the investigative team ended the probe on its own, rather than because Lee exerted improper pressure. The gazette also said criminal compensation was approved for others whose acquittals were finalized. Kim Tae-han, former CEO of Samsung Biologics, and Kim Shin, former head of Samsung C&T, who were tried alongside Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong over allegations of an improper merger and accounting fraud, will receive 13.77 million won and 5.65 million won, respectively. Park Hyeong-cheol, former Blue House senior secretary for anti-corruption, who was tried over allegations of covering up an internal inspection involving former Busan Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs Yoo Jae-soo, will receive 7,448,000 won. Jang Hwan-seok, former senior administrative officer in the Blue House’s Balanced Development Secretariat, who was acquitted in a case tied to alleged interference in the Ulsan mayoral election during the Moon Jae-in government, will receive 8,851,000 won in cost compensation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 09:37:16