From 'NATO Trio' to Golden Turtle: Verdict on Kim Keon-hee's 'Office-Selling' Scandal Today

[Anchor]

The first-instance verdict regarding allegations that First Lady Kim Keon-hee received gifts, including a golden turtle and luxury jewelry, in exchange for political favors—a scandal dubbed "office-selling"—is set for today (June 26). The proceedings will be broadcast live starting at 2:00 PM.

Reporter Jung Hye-jin has the story.

[Reporter]

The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Agreement Division 21 will deliver its verdict on the "office-selling" allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee at 2:00 PM today.

Kim is accused of accepting over 100 million won worth of jewelry, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace—part of a so-called "NATO trio" set—provided by Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan during former President Yoon Suk Yeol's first overseas trip to the NATO summit in June 2022.

During the investigation, Kim's side claimed the Van Cleef necklace was a "replica purchased in Hong Kong."

However, Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan later confessed that he had provided the items to Kim in exchange for the appointment of his eldest son-in-law to a public office.

[Min Joong-ki / Special Prosecutor (December of last year): Kim Keon-hee exploited her status as the president's spouse to easily accept high-value gifts and extensively intervened in various personnel appointments and nominations.]

Kim is also accused of receiving additional gifts, including a golden turtle worth 2.65 million won, from former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong in connection with a request for appointment following former President Yoon's election.

In the final hearing last month, the special prosecution team characterized these actions as "office-selling" and requested a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Kim.

Kim's defense team acknowledges receiving the gifts but maintains her innocence, arguing that there were no specific requests for favors attached to them.

Previously, Kim was arrested last year on charges related to the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case and for receiving items such as a Graff necklace and a Chanel bag from the Unification Church. She was recently sentenced to four years in prison in an appellate trial.

Given the high level of public interest in today's verdict, the court has granted the request from the special prosecution team led by Min Joong-ki and broadcasting stations to televise the proceedings live.

Today's sentencing will be broadcast live via television and YouTube starting at 2:00 PM.

(Video Editing: Park Ji-in)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.