▲ Former South Chungcheong Governor Ahn Hee-jung
Kim Ji-eun, a victim of sexual violence by former South Chungcheong Governor Ahn Hee-jung, has requested that the provincial government waive the collection of legal costs from her.
Kim stated through her social media, "I filed an official civil complaint with South Chungcheong Province through the e-People portal," adding, "I requested that this matter be referred to the Litigation Deliberation Committee to deliberate on whether to waive the collection of legal costs."
On September 18, Kim also released a statement via social media, stating, "South Chungcheong Province, which has been held liable for state compensation, has demanded legal costs from me, the victim," while demanding the waiver of legal cost collection and referral to the Litigation Deliberation Committee.
Previously, former Governor Ahn was put on trial on charges of sexual violence and forced indecency against Kim, who was his secretary, and was sentenced to three years and six months in prison by the Supreme Court in 2019.
In a subsequent damages lawsuit filed by Kim, the court ruled that Ahn's sexual violence was related to the performance of his duties as governor, ordering him to pay approximately 83.04 million won to Kim.
Of this amount, about 53 million won is to be jointly compensated by Ahn and South Chungcheong Province.
However, regarding the legal costs, because Kim's damage claims were not accepted in their entirety, it was decided that the plaintiff, Kim, must bear a portion of them.
The issue arose recently when South Chungcheong Province applied to the court for the final determination of the legal costs.
Kim stated that she has raised an objection to the decision on the determination of legal costs, arguing that there are parts of the court-determined expenses that should be contested.
South Chungcheong Province's current rules on handling litigation affairs stipulate that the collection of legal costs from an opposing party can be waived if doing so is deemed inappropriate in terms of pursuing the public interest or protecting the rights and interests of socially vulnerable or minority groups.
Based on this regulation, Kim demanded that her case be referred to the Litigation Deliberation Committee.
South Chungcheong Province stated, "Applying for the determination of legal costs and actually recovering or collecting the costs are separate procedures," while noting regarding Kim's request to refer the matter to the Litigation Deliberation Committee that the issue is "under review."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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