Noh Young-min and Kim Hyun-mee acquitted of employment solicitation charges

Former Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min and former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mee were acquitted of obstruction of business charges in their first trial. The Seoul Central District Court ruled on August 13 that the recommendation of Lee Jung-geun, a former deputy secretary-general of the Democratic Party, as a full-time advisor to Korea Integrated Logistics followed existing practices and did not constitute the use of force or interference with recruitment processes.

The prosecution had alleged that the defendants used their influence to pressure the private company into hiring political figures, suggesting the company complied due to fears of disadvantage regarding Ministry of Land oversight. However, the court found no evidence that the company opposed the appointments or that the recruitment process was unlawfully manipulated. Other officials indicted alongside them were also found not guilty.