Judge who increased former First Lady's sentence found dead

Thairath•International•23d ago

Reader Briefing

A South Korean judge, who recently increased the prison sentence for the former First Lady, was found deceased.

•A South Korean judge, Shin Jong-oh, was found dead on Wednesday.
•He was the judge who increased the sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon-hee last month.
•Police are not suspecting foul play and reported no signs of murder.
•Local media reported a suicide note, but authorities have not confirmed its existence.

•On May 6, 2026, an investigative officer from the Seocho District Police Station revealed the discovery of Judge Shin Jong-oh's body.
•Judge Shin Jong-oh was found unconscious at the Seoul High Court building.
•Judge Shin Jong-oh was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
•Judge Shin Jong-oh had previously ruled to increase the prison sentence of former First Lady Kim Keon-hee.
•Last month, Judge Shin Jong-oh presided over the appeals court case for Kim Keon-hee, finding her guilty of stock manipulation and bribery.
•The sentence for Kim Keon-hee was increased from 20 months to 4 years, overturning a prior acquittal from a lower court.
•Judge Shin Jong-oh stated that Kim Keon-hee "failed to acknowledge her own guilt but instead continued to make excuses."
•The judge's family is reportedly in deep mourning following this event.

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Investigative Officer

"The judge's family is deeply saddened by the incident."

ครอบครัวของผู้พิพากษาอยู่ในอาการโศกเศร้าอย่างหนักจากเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้น

Shin Jong-oh(ชิน จง-โอ)

South Korean judge who reportedly increased the sentence of former First Lady Kim Keon-hee and was found deceased.

Kim Keon-hee(คิม กอน-ฮี)ℹ️

Former First Lady of South Korea who was facing an increased prison sentence for stock manipulation and bribery.

South Korea(เกาหลีใต้)ℹ️

The country where the judge was found dead and the former First Lady faced legal proceedings.

Seoul High Court building(อาคารศาลสูงกรุงโซล)

The location where Judge Shin Jong-oh was found unconscious.

Seocho District Police Station(สถานีตำรวจเขตซอโช)

The police station that announced the discovery of Judge Shin Jong-oh's body.

Appeals Court(ศาลอุทธรณ์)

The court where Judge Shin Jong-oh presided over the appeals case of Kim Keon-hee.

Lower Court(ศาลชั้นต้น)

The court that had initially acquitted Kim Keon-hee of stock manipulation charges.