[Anchor]
Kim Keon-hee appeared as a witness in the trial of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon and his spouse, who were indicted on charges of handing her a luxury bag, and acknowledged receiving the item. However, she also questioned and protested against the special counsel team and the court.
Reporter Jang Hun-gyeong has the details.
[Reporter]
Yesterday (the 10th), Kim Keon-hee appeared as a witness at the third trial of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon and his spouse on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.
Wearing a black suit and a mask, Kim poured out a flood of words, a stark contrast to her previous court appearances where she mostly gave one-word answers or refused to testify.
During the questioning, Kim admitted to receiving a Roger Vivier clutch bag valued at 2.67 million won.
However, she claimed she did not receive it directly from lawmaker Kim and his spouse, stating that she later found the bag at the presidential residence and could not remember how it was delivered.
When the special counsel team asked, "Isn't it unusual to receive such a gift from the ruling party leader or his spouse, and yet you don't remember?", Kim reacted indignantly, saying, "Have you ever investigated first ladies? How can you call this unusual?" She added, "I cannot understand why you are trying to treat me as a criminal no matter what."
When the presiding judge pointed out, "It is natural to question the recipient," Kim pushed back, saying, "Do not take only one side." Early in the trial, when the court informed her that "there is no punishment provision for a public official's spouse under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, so you cannot exercise the right to refuse testimony," she snapped back, "Am I supposed to let my imagination run wild and talk about things I don't know?"
As Kim attended the witness examination, the 3 million won fine imposed on her by the court for failing to attend last month's trial was revoked.
The court announced that it will hold two more trial sessions before conducting the sentencing hearing on the 28th of next month.
(Video Editing: Park Na-young)
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