A shocking wave of sadness has hit the legal community in Seoul this week. Early Wednesday morning, police discovered the body of Shin Jong-oh, a 55-year-old judge at the Seoul High Court, in a flower bed near the court building. 🌸💔
Judge Shin was a key figure in a high-profile legal battle, as he had been handling the appeals trial of former first lady Kim Keon-hee, who faced serious corruption charges. Given the intensity of such cases, the news has sparked immediate conversation across social media and news circles.
According to reports from the Yonhap News Agency, police were alerted around midnight and found Judge Shin at approximately 1 a.m. local time. While the discovery was sudden, investigators found a suicide note tucked into the judge's clothing. The note reportedly read: "I'm sorry. I'm leaving on my own."
In a detail that keeps the investigation focused, officials noted that the message did not mention former first lady Kim Keon-hee or any specifics regarding the ongoing trial. Currently, police do not suspect foul play, though they are continuing to investigate the exact cause of death to provide a full picture of the tragedy.
It's a sobering reminder of the immense pressure that can come with high-stakes positions in the justice system. Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of Judge Shin during this difficult time. 🙏✨
Reference(s):
South Korean judge of former first lady's appeals trial found dead
cgtn.com
