Kim Bong-hyun's Sister Acquitted in First Trial for Assisting His Escape in 'Lime Scandal'
Court: "Insufficient Evidence of Intent or Awareness to Assist Escape"
The older sister of Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility and a key figure in the 'Lime Asset Management scandal,' who was on trial for allegedly assisting his escape, has been acquitted in the first trial.
On September 8, Judge Seo Ji-won of the Seoul Southern District Court’s single-person Criminal Division 5 pronounced a not-guilty verdict for Kim, a woman in her 50s who was indicted without detention on charges of attempted aiding of escape by a detainee and instructing the harboring of a suspect.
Kim was brought to trial on charges of assisting former Chairman Kim’s escape in November 2022, after he broke off his electronic monitoring device and fled while on bail, including allegedly conveying details of the investigation to him. She was also accused of transferring money to a third party in June 2023 in connection with former Chairman Kim’s prison break plan while he was being held at Seoul Southern Detention Center.
Judge Seo ruled, “Based on the evidence submitted by the prosecutor, it is difficult to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was aware of or intended to help former Chairman Kim’s escape.” The judge also determined that, regarding the charge of attempted aiding of escape, it could not be conclusively stated that Kim knew the cash she delivered would be used for his escape plan.
Kim’s side has consistently denied the charges, arguing that while she did help arrange phone calls and deliver money to former Chairman Kim, she was unaware these actions were related to his escape. After being acquitted, Kim left the courtroom in tears.
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Meanwhile, former Chairman Kim is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence and has been ordered to forfeit 76.9 billion won, following his conviction in December 2023 on charges including embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.
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