▲ Kim Keonhee
The special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki has asked the court to uphold the original seven-year prison sentence for Kim Keonhee during her appellate trial on charges of receiving valuables in exchange for political favors, commonly known as office-peddling.
During the sentencing hearing held today by the 15th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Sung Eon-joo, Won Ik-sun, and Lee Hee-jun), the special counsel team stated, "Please dismiss the appeal filed by Kim's side."
The request is aimed at maintaining the seven-year prison term handed down in the first trial.
The special counsel team emphasized, "The shock inflicted on our society by Kim's crimes, the damage to the fairness of public service, and the degree of illegality far exceed cases where high-ranking officials such as cabinet ministers receive similar favors and valuables."
They added, "Even the maximum legal sentence combining concurrent offenses would not be enough for Kim. The original trial court likely shared these concerns," and asked the court to "deeply consider these circumstances."
In response, Kim's defense counsel countered that an acquittal should be granted, arguing, "It is difficult to view the charges as having been proven beyond a reasonable doubt based solely on the evidence presented by the special counsel."
During her lengthy final statement, Kim shed tears and began by saying, "I sincerely apologize for causing disappointment to the public."
She maintained her innocence, stating, "The position of the president's spouse carries more responsibility than anyone else's, and I should have been more cautious, but I cannot admit to things I did not do."
She continued, "Anyone who has worked with President Yoon Suk Yeol would know. He is not someone who grants favors just because his wife asks. I feel so unfairly treated."
Kim argued, "To me, the position of the president's spouse was about sacrificing more of what I had for the country. I was much more economically well-off running a business before marriage, but as my husband became president, I lost all my wealth and reputation."
Previously, the first trial found Kim guilty of receiving approximately 300 million won worth of valuables in exchange for arranging favors.
The first trial determined that between March 15 and May 20, 2022, Kim received luxury items totaling 103.8 million won from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan in exchange for a job placement favor for his eldest son-in-law, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, a Tiffany & Co. brooch, and a Graff earring.
She was also found guilty of receiving a Vacheron Constantin wristwatch worth 39.9 million won in September of the same year from a robot business entrepreneur surnamed Seo in exchange for business support favors, and Dior bags worth a total of 5.4 million won between June and September from Pastor Choi Jae-young in exchange for favors related to official duties.
Furthermore, convictions were upheld for receiving a gold turtle and a replica of Sehando worth 2.65 million won in April 2022 from former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong in exchange for an appointment favor, as well as a painting by artist Lee Ufan worth 140 million won around February of the following year from former Senior Prosecutor Kim Sang-min in connection with a nomination favor.
Chairman Lee Bong-kwan of Seohee Construction and the businessman surnamed Seo, who were co-indicted on charges of providing valuables to Kim, were sentenced to one year in prison with two years of probation and 10 months in prison with two years of probation, respectively.
Pastor Choi Jae-young was fined 8 million won.
These individuals' first-instance sentences became final as neither side appealed.
Meanwhile, former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, who was co-indicted on charges of ordering the destruction of evidence, appealed the first-instance ruling of 10 months in prison with two years of probation.
The special counsel team also requested the dismissal of the appeal during the separate sentencing hearing for former Chairperson Lee held earlier that day.
Lee's defense counsel argued for an acquittal or the dismissal of the indictment, questioning whether the special counsel team actually had the authority to investigate the case and whether the search and seizure warrants were valid.
The appellate sentencing for the defendants will take place on the 22nd.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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