Ex-Officials Acquitted in Job Recommendation Case as Prosecutors Drop Appeal

Prosecutors have abandoned their appeal, leading to the definitive acquittal of former presidential chief of staff Noh Young-min and former Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Kim Hyun-mi.

The two former officials were indicted on charges of allegedly interfering with job recommendations for Lee Jung-geun, a former deputy secretary-general of the Democratic Party. Prosecutors had accused them of exerting undue influence to secure executive positions for Lee at Korea Logistics Terminal, a subsidiary of CJ Logistics, despite Lee's lack of relevant experience.

However, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted both Noh and Kim in their first trial on May 13. The presiding judge stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to prove that the defendants had used their power and authority to exert pressure or force Lee's hiring.

The court cited that Korea Logistics Terminal had a practice of hiring senior advisors based on recommendations from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport for operational needs. Crucially, the court noted that the company had not formally rejected Lee's candidacy. By not filing an appeal by the deadline, prosecutors have effectively accepted the court's ruling, confirming the acquittal of Noh and Kim.

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The evidence submitted by the prosecution is insufficient to conclude that the defendants exerted power and authority or forced the hiring of Lee Jung-geun.