Kim Gun-hee Verdict Postponed…Divided Opinions Among Justices Lead to Full Bench Referral

The Supreme Court has postponed the scheduled verdict in the case involving Kim Gun-hee and referred the matter to the Full Bench, comprised of all justices. The Full Bench, presided over by Supreme Court Justice Cho Hee-dae, will hear this case. The shift from a four-justice panel to a procedure involving all justices indicates分歧 among the justices. The three-month appellate period stipulated by the Special Counsel Law concludes on the 28th of this month.

Kim’s sentence increased from one year and eight months in the first trial to four years in the second trial. Regarding the allegation of receiving handbags from the Unification Church, the number of bags recognized as guilty increased in the second trial, whereas the charge of receiving free opinion polls from Myung Tae-kyun was judged not guilty. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol was found guilty in the first trial in connection with this case.

Yoon Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church, who was named as an accomplice to Kim, and Jeon Seong-bae of Geonjinbeopsa, who acted as an intermediary, have already had their convictions for providing money finalized by the Supreme Court.