1-Year Prison Term Sought for People Power Party Rep. Kim Kihyun Over Luxury Bag Gift to Kim Keonhee… Sentencing Set for Next Month

People Power Party Representative Kim Kihyun, indicted on charges of giving a luxury bag to Kim Keonhee in exchange for support in the ruling party's leadership election, is facing a demand for a one-year prison term.

The sentencing is scheduled for 2:00 PM on the 30th of next month.

During the sentencing hearing held by the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Settlement Division 22 (Presiding Judge Cho Hyung-woo) on the 28th, the special counsel team led by Independent Counsel Min Joong-ki requested the court to sentence Rep. Kim to one year in prison.

A six-month prison term was sought for Rep. Kim's spouse, who was indicted together as an accomplice.

The special counsel team criticized that "Rep. Kim's actions undermine public trust in public office, making his culpability far from light, and if permitted, risk damaging the independence of party politics."

The special counsel team pointed out, "This crime goes beyond the mere provision of a private or personal gift," adding, "The background of this case is that the president and his spouse interfered in the ruling party leadership election and exercised influence to ensure the victory of a specific candidate."

They continued, "Defendant Kim Kihyun rose to the position of ruling party leader based on such wrongful support and provided a luxury bag to Kim Keonhee in return," noting, "It was secretly handed over to repay a political debt."

They also criticized, "People can make mistakes, but the proper course is to reflect afterward," adding, "However, the defendants have been solely preoccupied with protecting their own safety and have shown no sincere remorse up until reaching the courtroom."

In his closing argument, Rep. Kim's legal counsel reiterated that while it is true his spouse gifted a bag to Kim Keonhee, it was merely a matter of social etiquette and had nothing to do with Rep. Kim.

The defense attorney emphasized, "If the bag was a reward for supporting Kim Kihyun in the party leadership election, why were both the gift and the letter provided entirely in the name of the spouse without the direct party involved, Kim Kihyun?" adding, "A 'joint consensus of intent' that they agreed to act together with the knowledge that it was being provided to Kim Keonhee is not recognized."

Taking on his own defense, Rep. Kim argued that his election as party leader was due to his successful election strategy, not because of support from former President Yoon and his spouse.

He stated, "As the opposition floor leader, I uncovered then-candidate Lee Jae-myung's Daejang-dong scandal and laid the most crucial foundation for the presidential election victory, and thanks to my leadership being officially recognized, I narrowly won through harrowing difficulties."

In his final statement, he said, "I am sorry for causing concern to the public over this matter," while emphasizing, "In over 20 years of political life, I have never once been involved in corruption."

Rep. Kim's spouse appealed, "It is true that we gave the gift [to Kim Keonhee], but it had nothing to do with the party leadership election and we expected no rewards in return," asking the court to "take into consideration that it was done out of pure intentions."

Rep. Kim and his spouse are accused of providing a Roger Vivier clutch bag worth 2.67 million won to Kim Keonhee on March 17, 2023, in return for mobilizing and supporting Unification Church followers in the People Power Party leadership election held on March 8, 2023.

Investigations showed that Rep. Kim's spouse delivered the bag, while the payment was withdrawn from Rep. Kim's legislative salary account.

The special counsel team applied the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, determining that the couple gifted the bag in connection with presidential duties.

Appearing as a witness in this trial on the 10th of last month, Kim Keonhee acknowledged receiving the Roger Vivier clutch bag from Rep. Kim Kihyun's spouse, but stated she did not remember receiving it directly and discovered it later at the presidential residence.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.