▲ Former Prosecutor Kim Sang-min
A prison sentence with a probation has been finalized for former Senior Prosecutor Kim Sang-min, who was indicted on charges including handing over an expensive painting to Kim Keon-hee while lobbying for a parliamentary nomination.
The Supreme Court's Third Division (Presiding Justice Lee Heung-goo) finalized the lower court's ruling today (July 23), which sentenced the former prosecutor to two years in prison with three years of probation on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.
The court also upheld the lower court's ruling on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, which sentenced him to one year in prison with three years of probation and an order of forfeiture amounting to 41.39 million won.
Former Prosecutor Kim was indicted and detained in October of last year by the special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki on charges of handing over artist Lee Ufan's painting "From Point No. 800298" valued at 140 million won to associates of Kim Keon-hee around February 2023, while lobbying for a nomination in the April 10 general election the following year.
He was also charged with having a businessman surnamed Kim cover 41.39 million won in expenses, including rental fees and insurance for a campaign vehicle, while preparing to run in the general election.
The first trial found him guilty only of the charges involving the receipt of illegal political funds, such as the campaign vehicle rental fees.
Consequently, he was sentenced to six months in prison with one year of probation and an order of forfeiture of 41.39 million won.
Regarding the nomination lobbying charges, the court acquitted him, citing the possibility that the painting in question may not have been delivered to Kim Keon-hee.
However, the appellate court reversed the decision and found him guilty of the nomination lobbying charges as well.
The second-instance tribunal accepted the credibility of testimony from an art dealer who stated, "Former Prosecutor Kim asked me to purchase the painting, saying it was to be delivered to the First Lady."
The court also accepted testimony showing that the dealer stated, "After the painting was delivered, Former Prosecutor Kim called me and said she (Kim Keon-hee) loved it."
While former Prosecutor Kim appealed the verdict, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, ruling that there were no errors in the appellate court's judgment.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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