[Anchor]

Kim Keon-hee appeared as a witness in the trial of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyun and his spouse, who were indicted on charges of handing over a luxury bag to Kim Keon-hee. While admitting to receiving the luxury bag, Kim protested that the special counsel was unconditionally painting her as a criminal. Far from showing remorse, when the court pointed out her attitude in answering, she even talked back, telling the court not to take only one side.

This is a report by reporter Jang Hun-gyeong.

[Reporter]

Kim Keon-hee appeared as a witness at the third trial of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyun and his spouse on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

Wearing a black suit and a mask, Kim poured out a flood of words, contrasting with her previous court appearances where she mostly gave one-word answers or refused to testify.

During the questioning, Kim admitted to receiving a 2.67 million won Roger Vivier clutch bag.

However, she claimed that she did not receive it directly from lawmaker Kim and his spouse, stating that she later found the bag at the presidential residence and could not remember the delivery route.

When the special counsel team asked, "Isn't it unusual to receive such a gift from the ruling party's party leader or his spouse, yet you don't remember?" Kim showed a heightened reaction, saying, "Have you ever investigated all first ladies? How can you call this unusual?" and adding, "I cannot understand why you are unconditionally treating me like a criminal."

When the court pointed out that "interrogating the person who received it is only natural," Kim protested, telling them "not to take only one side." At the beginning of the trial, when the court notified her that "there are no penal provisions for a public official's spouse under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, so you cannot exercise the right to refuse to testify," she even snapped back, saying, "Am I supposed to let my imagination run wild and speak about things I don't know?"

As Kim appeared for the witness examination today (August 10), the 3 million won fine that the court had imposed on Kim for failing to attend last month's trial was canceled.

The court announced that it will hold two more trial sessions and then proceed with the sentencing hearing on September 28.

[Video Editing: Park Na-young]