Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

South Korean judge who handed Kim Keon-hee 4-year term found dead days after verdict

Police found an apparent suicide note as investigators said the judge likely fell from a building after ruling in Kim Keon Hee’s appeal.

  • On Wednesday, South Korean appellate court judge Shin Jong-o was found dead near the Seoul High Court in Seocho district. Police suspect the 55-year-old died after falling from the building at approximately 1 am.
  • Eight days before his death, Shin presided over the appeals trial for former first lady Kim Keon Hee. He increased her sentence to four years in prison, overturning a lower court decision that had sentenced her to 20 months.
  • The appellate court found Kim guilty of influence-peddling and violating the Capital Markets Act in connection with the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case. The ruling ordered the confiscation of a Graff necklace worth 62.2 million won.
  • Police discovered a suicide note in Shin's pocket that made no mention of the Kim case or his judicial duties. Authorities stated they do not suspect foul play in the incident.
  • Born in Seoul, Shin began his judicial career in 2011 at the Uijeongbu branch of the Seoul District Court. Police continue investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the judge's death.
Insights by Ground AI

32 Articles

Center

The judge who presided over the corruption appeal trial against the former First Lady of South Korea Kim Keon Hee has been found dead on Wednesday near a court in the capital, Seoul, as confirmed by the authorities, who have not yet ruled on the causes of his death.The police have located the body of the judge, Shin Jong O, in a midwifery located near the Seoul High Court complex, after receiving an alert about an hour earlier, as the South Kore…

·Spain
Read Full Article
Center

A South Korean judge who last week stiffened them in appeal the prison sentence of the country's former first lady was found dead on Wednesday, announced the police, reports AFP.

·Romania
Read Full Article
ledauphine.comledauphine.com
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Center

Found unconscious on the premises of the Seoul Court of Appeal, the judge was declared dead a few hours later this Wednesday.

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 44% of the sources are Center
44% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

중앙일보 broke the news on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal