The legal representative of former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, who was indicted on charges of instructing aides to destroy evidence after coming under investigation over allegations of offering valuables as a favor to Kim Keon-hee, argued for the dismissal of the indictment during her appellate trial.

During the closing hearing of the second trial on charges of instigating the destruction of evidence held by the 15th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Sung Eon-joo, Won Ik-sun, and Lee Hee-joon) on the 9th, Lee's defense counsel requested an acquittal or the dismissal of the indictment, stating, "It is questionable whether the special counsel team actually had the authority to investigate this case, and whether the search and seizure warrant was valid."

The counsel claimed, "At the time of the search and seizure, the warrant contained no provisions related to the destruction of evidence, and materials intended for a separate bribery investigation were utilized in the evidence destruction investigation."

In her final statement, former Chairperson Lee appealed, "When President Yoon Suk Yeol was elected, I sent a golden turtle meant to wish good luck as a sign of congratulation. It was merely a traditional customary gift, and there was no fact of lobbying for a key position, nor was there any reason to demand the destruction of evidence."

The independent counsel team led by Min Joong-ki requested the court to dismiss former Chairperson Lee's appeal.

This stance maintains the demand for a sentence of 10 months in prison suspended for two years, identical to the first trial.

The appellate ruling is scheduled for 4:00 PM on the 22nd.

Former Chairperson Lee was investigated by the special counsel team last year over suspicions that she delivered a golden turtle worth approximately 2.65 million won to Kim in April 2022 along with a request to be appointed as the Chairperson of the National Education Commission.

In the process, she was indicted on charges of instructing her aide, surnamed Park, and others to delete contents related to Kim from their mobile phones.

A separate charge under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act was not applied on the grounds that the golden turtle was delivered before former President Yoon's inauguration.

The special counsel team determined that prior to the inauguration, both former President Yoon and Kim were private citizens, whereas a violation of the Graft Act requires the recipient of valuables to hold public official status or be the spouse of one.

However, Kim was charged with receiving the golden turtle from former Chairperson Lee under the pretense of personnel lobbying.

The crime of accepting mediation can apply even if the individual does not hold the status of a public official or a spouse thereof.

Kim was also sent to trial in December of last year on charges of receiving valuables totaling 300 million won from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-gwan, robot dog businessman surnamed Seo, and Reverend Choi Jae-young in exchange for mediating personnel and concession favors.

The first trial found all of Kim's charges guilty and sentenced her to 7 years in prison.

The appellate sentencing recommendation and final arguments for Kim are scheduled for later this afternoon.

(Photo: Yonhap News)