Judge in 'Myeong Tae-gyun Case' Suspended for Three Months After Accepting Golf Trip Expenses from Acquaintance on Trial

An active presiding judge who had multiple overseas trips with expenses paid by an acquaintance currently on trial has been given a disciplinary suspension.

The Supreme Court announced on August 13 that it had issued a three-month suspension and a disciplinary surcharge of 3.47 million won against Presiding Judge Kim of the Suwon District Court.

It was revealed that Presiding Judge Kim received approximately 3.47 million won worth of airfares and lodging for overseas golf trips from a team leader surnamed A at HDC Shilla Duty Free.

Notably, it was confirmed that they went on six overseas trips together between July 2023 and May of last year, even though the judge was aware that the team leader was undergoing a trial.

The Supreme Court Disciplinary Committee determined that Judge Kim's actions damaged the dignity expected of a judge and undermined public trust and prestige in the judiciary.

Previously, in February, Judge Kim and A were summary-indicted for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, receiving summary orders of 5 million won and 3 million won in fines, respectively.

However, as Judge Kim appealed the decision and requested a formal trial, the first hearing is scheduled for November.

Earlier, while working at the Changwon District Court in February, Judge Kim acquitted political broker Myeong Tae-gyun and former lawmaker Kim Young-sun in the first trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, while finding Myeong guilty only of instigating the concealment of evidence and sentencing him to a suspended prison term.

Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Lee Da-in | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.