Controversy over Candidate Kim Seung-won's lenient ruling for a drunk driver during his time as a judge
Controversy over Kim Seung-won's drunk driving ruling, with confirmation of the associate judge's participation and even his prior record Take a look at the background of the trial and the candidate's career history together before making a judgment
It has been confirmed that Kim Seungwon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, served as an associate judge on a panel that reduced a sentence of imprisonment for a drunkdriving offense to a fine while he was working as a judge.
According to reporting by Kyunghyang Shinmun, Criminal Division 1 of the Jeonju District Court overturned the firstinstance sentence of four months in prison and imposed a fine of 5 million won on A, who had been indicted in July 2003 for violating the Road Traffic Act. At the time, the court cited the defendant's long period of detention, his remorse, and the fact that his blood alcohol concentration was not high as reasons for sentencing.
A was reportedly arrested after being caught driving under the influence again during the suspension period, after previously receiving a suspended sentence on charges related to a hitandrun. Kim's side explained that an associate judge does not directly participate in sentencing and that the ruling was made in accordance with the standards in use at the time. Meanwhile, Kim himself has a prior record of receiving a fine for drunk driving in 2008.