Attention is focusing on senior judge Kim Dong-hyun (51, 30th term of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), who acquitted Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, in the first trial of perjury.

Senior judge Kim, a former general of Jeollanam-do, graduated from Korea University's law department in 1997 and passed the 40th bar exam the following year. As a 30th member of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, he served as an Air Force judicial officer in 2001 and began his career as a judge at the Gwangju District Court in 2004. After going through the Seoul Eastern District Court in 2010, the Seoul Central District Court in 2012, and the Seoul High Court in 2014, he returned to the Seoul Central District Court in February last year to serve as a senior judge at the Criminal Agreement Department 33. He is called a 'veteran' who has only been in charge of trials throughout his career as a judge.

Although his hometown is Jeollanam-do, his political color is not clear. In particular, it is said that rulings are made according to laws and beliefs in trials.

He also showed some strictness during the trial of perjury teacher charges against CEO Lee. As representative Lee repeatedly failed to appear in court due to the general election in March this year, prosecutors raised questions, senior judge Kim said, "We cannot proceed with the trial considering the political position," adding, "If representative Lee does not appear from the next date, we will consider compulsory summons."

[Reporter Park Min Gi]