Court Finds 'Lee Ufan Painting' Gift Guilty: "She Knew Why It Was Given"

[Anchor]

The court has also delivered a guilty verdict regarding charges related to a painting by artist Lee Ufan, which had been the subject of authenticity disputes. The court concluded that the painting is indeed authentic and that former prosecutor Kim Sang-min provided it to Kim Keon-hee with the expectation of exercising political influence.

Here is a report by legal affairs correspondent Lim Chan-jong.

[Reporter]

There were three main points of contention regarding the charge that Kim Keon-hee received a painting by artist Lee Ufan, worth 140 million won, from former prosecutor Kim Sang-min in February 2023.

First, regarding whether the painting was actually provided, Kim claimed that the painting was discovered at the residence of her brother's mother-in-law and that she had never even seen the painting in question.

However, the court ruled that the painting was indeed provided to Kim Keon-hee, citing testimony from the seller that former prosecutor Kim Sang-min had stated during the purchase process that it was for Kim Keon-hee, as well as evidence suggesting that Kim Keon-hee's brother moved various items belonging to her to the mother-in-law's residence after the special counsel investigation began in earnest.

The second point of contention was the authenticity of the painting.

The court acknowledged it as authentic, stating that although the judgments of the two institutions tasked with appraisal differed, the appraisal result concluding it was genuine was more credible.

Regarding the final point of contention, the court also recognized the existence of a quid pro quo.

The court determined that the act of former prosecutor Kim Sang-min, who had intentions of entering politics since early 2023, providing an expensive piece of art to the spouse of the president around that time appeared to be done with the expectation of assistance in his future political career, and that Kim Keon-hee was also aware of this.

[Cho Soon-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Agreement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: Considering the close relationship between Kim Keon-hee and Kim Sang-min, the value of the painting in this case, and the timing of the transfer, it appears that the defendant, Kim Keon-hee, was also aware at the time of receipt that the item was a gift provided in exchange for mediation, with the expectation of her assistance and the exercise of her influence.]

The court further pointed out that the subsequent events—former prosecutor Kim Sang-min declaring his candidacy for the National Assembly while accepting disciplinary action, and being appointed as a special advisor to the director of the National Intelligence Service after his nomination failed—are ex-post circumstances that demonstrate the quid pro quo nature of the gift.

(Video reporting: Yang Hyun-chul, Video editing: Kim Jong-tae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.