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Former Judge Wanted for Bribe Taking

Posted August. 08, 2006 03:35,   

한국어

An arrest warrant for a former high court judge suspected of having received bribes during his incumbency was requested for the first time in the history of the administration of justice.

On August 7, investigators at the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office requested an arrest warrant for a former high court judge, Cho, who is suspected of having intervened in civil and criminal trials for favors after receiving money and gifts worth about 100 million won from Kim Hong-su, 58, a carpet importer confined in prison.

The Supreme Court will soon announce its plan to eradicate malpractice and malfeasance in the legal world along with its apology to the people.

Prosecutors also requested arrest warrants for former prosecutor Kim and police station chief Min for allegedly taking 10 million won and 30 million won respectively in bribes from Kim.

Cho is suspected of introducing Kim to judges or asking for favors in four civil and criminal legal cases, including a civil procedure over the business rights for Yangpyeong TPC Golf Club. It was revealed in the process of investigation that Cho had received tens of million won in cash and gifts such as carpets or furniture worth over 60 million won from Kim over years.

Prosecutors secured a statement from Kim that Cho gave him 20 million won and asked him to make favorable statements on investigation. The Seoul Central District Court will decide whether to approve the warrants late at night after examining them on the afternoon of August 8.

Former prosecutor Kim is suspected of having received total 10 million won, 5 million won twice, for terminating a secret investigation on Kim’s violation of the Attorneys-at-Law Act. Former prosecutor Kim admitted it and turned in a letter of resignation last month.

Min, who is now suspended from his service after being summoned and investigated by prosecutors last month, is suspected of taking 30 million won as bribes from Kim Hong-su for investigating a particular person in the case of Hynix stock scandal in January of last year.



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