Kim Geon-hee's legal team announced plans to appeal after a court sentenced her to seven years in prison for bribery related to various solicitations.
On June 26, her attorneys issued a statement claiming that the trial court excessively relaxed the criteria for the bribery charge, undermining the principles of evidence-based trials and criminal law.
The defense criticized the court for relying on assumptions and interpretations in finding her guilty, despite a lack of clear evidence regarding specific solicitations or influence peddling. They argued that the court's reasoning, which differentiated between having a personal connection and not, unfairly broadened the scope of the bribery charge.
They stated, "If the logic is that solicitation can occur regardless of personal relationships, then any human relationship could serve as a basis for bribery. This effectively expands the criteria for the bribery charge indefinitely, contradicting the principle of legality and the requirement for strict proof."
The legal team emphasized that a bribery charge must be supported by clear evidence of specific solicitations, influence exerted, and a quid pro quo relationship, asserting that criminal trials should punish proven criminal acts rather than mere suspicions.
They expressed their commitment to thoroughly address the issues with the ruling based on objective evidence and legal principles during the appeal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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