South Korean judge found dead after doubling the sentence for former first lady

The South Korean judge Shin Jong-o was found dead Wednesday morning inside the Seoul Court of Appeals, after last week he doubled the prison sentence for former first lady Kim Keon Hee. According to the police, Shin was found unconscious around 1:00 AM and was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities stated that there is no evidence to suggest a criminal act. Although local media reported that the judge may have left a suicide note, the investigator denied this information. Shin Jong-o recently presided over the appeal trial of Kim Keon Hee, increasing her sentence from 20 months to four years in prison for stock market manipulation and corruption.

Kim, the wife of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, is in prison following an attempt to impose martial law. The judge's family has requested respect for his privacy during this difficult time.