Choi Young-tak, the CEO of IMS Mobility, was acquitted in his appeal regarding the so-called "Housekeeper Gate" scandal, which involved allegations of securing investment funds from companies by leveraging his connections with Kim Geon-hee's family.
On August 26, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 6-3, consisting of judges Min Dal-ki, Kim Jong-woo, and Park Jeong-je, upheld the first trial's ruling, declaring Choi not guilty and dismissing the charges against him.
Previously, the special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki had appealed the first trial's dismissal, arguing that the court had misunderstood legal principles and misinterpreted facts regarding the not guilty verdict.
The appellate court rejected all of the special prosecutor's appeals. It ruled that Choi was not guilty of embezzlement related to his company, Be My Car, violations of the External Audit Act, and charges of evidence destruction. The court stated, "Considering the circumstances recognized in the original trial and the appellate trial, the special prosecutor's claims are unfounded."
The court also maintained the dismissal of charges related to embezzlement and breach of trust, noting that the special prosecutor's authority to initiate investigations and prosecutions on specific cases unsuitable for general prosecution was logically clear, indicating that the charges did not fall under the special prosecutor's jurisdiction.
Min Mo, also charged in the case, received a not guilty verdict, while the dismissal of charges against Jeong Mo, the spouse of Kim Geon-hee's housekeeper, and an economic journalist from publication A was also upheld. The ruling regarding Lee Mo, an IMS Mobility director who was fined 7 million won for evidence destruction, was consistent with the original trial.
The "Housekeeper Gate" scandal centers on allegations that IMS Mobility, linked to Kim Geon-hee's housekeeper, received approximately 18.4 billion won in illicit investments from several large corporations through Oasis Equity Partners.
The special prosecutor's office alleged that Choi embezzled 2.4 billion won of the investment funds in collusion with Kim.
On August 26, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 6-3, consisting of judges Min Dal-ki, Kim Jong-woo, and Park Jeong-je, upheld the first trial's ruling, declaring Choi not guilty and dismissing the charges against him.
Previously, the special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki had appealed the first trial's dismissal, arguing that the court had misunderstood legal principles and misinterpreted facts regarding the not guilty verdict.
The appellate court rejected all of the special prosecutor's appeals. It ruled that Choi was not guilty of embezzlement related to his company, Be My Car, violations of the External Audit Act, and charges of evidence destruction. The court stated, "Considering the circumstances recognized in the original trial and the appellate trial, the special prosecutor's claims are unfounded."
The court also maintained the dismissal of charges related to embezzlement and breach of trust, noting that the special prosecutor's authority to initiate investigations and prosecutions on specific cases unsuitable for general prosecution was logically clear, indicating that the charges did not fall under the special prosecutor's jurisdiction.
Min Mo, also charged in the case, received a not guilty verdict, while the dismissal of charges against Jeong Mo, the spouse of Kim Geon-hee's housekeeper, and an economic journalist from publication A was also upheld. The ruling regarding Lee Mo, an IMS Mobility director who was fined 7 million won for evidence destruction, was consistent with the original trial.
The "Housekeeper Gate" scandal centers on allegations that IMS Mobility, linked to Kim Geon-hee's housekeeper, received approximately 18.4 billion won in illicit investments from several large corporations through Oasis Equity Partners.
The special prosecutor's office alleged that Choi embezzled 2.4 billion won of the investment funds in collusion with Kim.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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