Judge who handed Yoon life sentence indicted for corruption

Anti-corruption investigators indicted Judge Jee Kui-youn on Friday for alleged corruption, stemming from his entertainment by a prominent bar in Seoul's affluent Cheongdam district in August 2023. Judge Jee's sentencing of former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment had previously garnered attention.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) accused Jee of violating the anti-graft law by paying for legal services valued at 4.09 million won ($3,000) for two lawyers at the expensive establishment. According to the CIO, public officials face punishment for receiving gifts or services exceeding 1 million won per instance, irrespective of their connection to their duties.

The CIO's investigation into the matter determined that the services were not provided in exchange for trial favors, as the court bench to which Jee belonged did not handle the lawyers' cases during that period. Consequently, the CIO declined to pursue bribery charges.

However, the CIO also identified another instance where Judge Jee was treated at the same bar in September 2024, receiving services worth 4.16 million won for five individuals. Despite this, the CIO decided not to pursue any charges in this instance, as the services were not deemed to be connected to any judicial proceedings or favors.