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A warrant issued against a current Presiding Judge, who is accused of accepting money and benefits from a lawyer who graduated from the same high school in return for favorable court decisions, along with a warrant for the lawyer suspected of offering the bribes, has been dropped.

Presiding Judge Kim Jin-man from the Seoul Central District Court, who handles warrant-related matters, canceled the arrest warrants on the 23rd, commenting, “There is not enough evidence to support the main charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes” against Presiding Judge Kim (44), who is accused of accepting bribes, and lawyer Jeong (48), who is accused of providing them. The ruling was seen as suggesting that the evidence provided by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) alone was not enough to establish a “quid pro quo” connection between the exchange of money, gifts, and favors and the actual court decisions, which would justify detention.

Previously, the CIO had requested arrest warrants on the 19th, claiming that Presiding Judge Kim oversaw around 20 appeal cases managed by lawyer Jeong and lowered sentences in return for 3,000,000 Korean won in cash, luxury perfume, rings, and other valuables worth tens of millions of Korean won. The warrant also included accusations that Kim’s wife used a portion of Jeong’s property as a violin studio for a year at no cost.

Both parties have rejected the allegations. Judge Kim’s team reportedly asserts that the items received were “just presents” arising from a long-term personal connection and not connected to sentencing or court decisions. Jeong also addressed journalists following the warrant examination, saying, “I do not acknowledge having given [the money and gifts] in return for lighter sentences.”

The Chief Information Officer is anticipated to examine the court’s reasons for dismissal, carry out additional investigations, and afterward determine whether to reapply for the warrants or continue with a prosecution that does not involve detention.

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