The prosecution summoned and questioned former Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su, who is accused of refusing to accept the resignation of former High Court Chief Judge Im Seong-geun and providing false explanations to the National Assembly.

According to the legal community on the 24th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's 1st Criminal Division (Chief Prosecutor Kim Seung-ho) privately summoned former Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim, who was indicted the previous day on charges of abuse of power, creation and use of false official documents, and obstruction of official duties, for questioning.

Former Chief Justice Kim is accused of rejecting the resignation request of former Chief Justice Lim in May 2020 on the grounds that the National Assembly was pursuing impeachment, and of submitting a false response to a National Assembly inquiry regarding the allegations, stating, “I have never rejected the resignation for the sake of impeachment.”

Former Chief Justice Kim’s appearance before the prosecution comes three years and six months after the People Power Party filed a complaint. This is the second time that a former head of the judiciary has been investigated by the prosecution, following former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae, who was investigated for the “judicial corruption” case.

Reporter Kwon Yong-hoon fact@hankyung.com