A South Korean judge who presided over the appeal trial of former first lady Kim Keon Hee on corruption charges has been found dead near a court complex in Seoul, local media reported on Wednesday.
Police confirmed that the body of Shin Jong-o was discovered in a flower bed within the Seoul High Court compound at about 1 a.m., following a report received roughly an hour earlier, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Authorities said a note believed to be a suicide message was found in his pocket, reportedly containing an apology but making no mention of the trial.
Investigators have stated that foul play is not suspected at this stage.
However, efforts are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death, with indications suggesting he may have fallen.
The incident comes weeks after the court increased Kim’s sentence from 20 months to four years over charges related to a stock manipulation scheme and the acceptance of luxury gifts linked to the Unification Church.
