Kim Gi-hyun Found Not Guilty Over Luxury Bag Given to Kim Keon-hee; Wife Fined

[Anchor]

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyun has been found not guilty in the first trial on charges of handing over a luxury bag to Kim Keon-hee in return for support during the party leadership election. While Representative Kim's spouse received a fine, the court stated that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Representative Kim conspired with his spouse.

Here is more from reporter Park Yerim.

[Reporter]

In November of last year, the special counsel team investigating Kim Keon-hee discovered a thank-you letter written by lawmaker Kim Gi-hyun's spouse and a luxury bag during a search and seizure at the private residence of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The special counsel team concluded that the couple provided the bag, valued at 2.74 million won, as a token of appreciation for former President Yoon's support during the 2023 People Power Party leadership election.

Consequently, the special counsel indicted both individuals on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, claiming that the couple conspired to provide prohibited valuables to Kim Keon-hee, who was then the spouse of a public official.

However, the court in the first trial acquitted lawmaker Kim while sentencing his spouse, Ms. A, to a fine of 5 million won.

The court ruled that, in connection with the comprehensive duties of former President Yoon—who could exert influence over the party leadership election—spouse A handed the bag to Kim Keon-hee.

The court also acknowledged that former President Yoon had provided assistance in lawmaker Kim's election as party leader.

However, the court stated that it had not been sufficiently proven that lawmaker Kim conspired with his spouse.

While noting suspicious circumstances such as the payment for the bag coming from lawmaker Kim's legislative salary account, the court found lawmaker Kim not guilty on the grounds that there was a lack of objective evidence or testimony, and that it was possible the bag was delivered through an employee without the husband's involvement.

Following the verdict, lawmaker Kim maintained that it was a courtesy gift.

[Kim Gi-hyun / People Power Party Lawmaker: Why would someone who was elected party leader make any illegal solicitation? As for my wife, it is somewhat difficult to accept the ruling fining her.]

The special counsel side stated that it plans to appeal, questioning whether it would have been possible for the spouse to give a gift without consulting lawmaker Kim.

(Video by: Kang Si-woo | Video Editing by: Choi Hye-young | Design by: Lee Jong-jung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.