First-Instance Ruling for Kim Keon-hee in 'Office-Selling' Case Today; Special Counsel Seeks 7.5-Year Prison Term

The first-instance ruling for First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who was indicted on charges of "selling offices" (bribery for appointments), will be broadcast live on television today (June 26).

The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Agreement Division 21 (Presiding Judge Cho Soon-pyo) will hold the sentencing hearing for the First Lady's charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (influence peddling) at 2:00 PM today.

Sentencing will also be handed down for Lee Bong-kwan, Chairman of Seohee Construction, and Pastor Choi Jae-young, who were indicted alongside the First Lady on charges of providing money and valuables to her.

On June 23, the court accepted requests from the special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki and various broadcasting companies to allow a live broadcast of the first-instance sentencing.

The court will transmit footage captured by its own equipment to broadcasting stations in real-time, and the recorded video will also be distributed after the sentencing concludes.

The First Lady was indicted in December of last year on charges including the receipt of jewelry worth a total of 103.8 million won—such as a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, a Tiffany & Co. brooch, and Graff earrings—from Chairman Lee between March 15 and May 20, 2022, in exchange for soliciting favors regarding the appointment of his eldest son-in-law.

She is also accused of receiving a gold turtle worth 2.65 million won from former National Education Committee Chairperson Lee Bae-yong in exchange for an appointment request on April 26, 2022, and a Vacheron Constantin wristwatch worth 39 million won from a robot dog business owner surnamed Seo in September of the same year in exchange for business support requests.

Additional charges include receiving Dior bags and other items worth a total of 5.4 million won from Pastor Choi between June and September of the same year in exchange for requests related to public official duties, as well as receiving a painting by artist Lee Ufan worth 140 million won from former Chief Prosecutor Kim Sang-min in February 2023 in exchange for a nomination request.

During the final hearing held on May 15, the special counsel team requested a 7-year-and-6-month prison sentence for the First Lady, stating, "This was an act of 'selling offices' where the status of the President's spouse was used as a backdrop to treat the President's various powers as subjects of private transactions, repeatedly receiving money and valuables."

The First Lady's legal team has maintained her innocence, arguing that while she did receive gifts, there were no specific requests attached to them.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.