Kim Sang-min, a former chief prosecutor accused of soliciting favors from Kim Geon-hee by presenting her with an expensive painting, has had his suspended prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court.
On July 23, the Supreme Court's third division, led by Justice Lee Heung-koo, upheld the lower court's ruling that sentenced Kim to two years in prison, suspended for three years, for violating the Anti-Corruption Act, and one year in prison, also suspended for three years, for violating the Political Funds Act, along with a fine of 41.39 million won.
Kim was indicted by the special prosecutor's team investigating Kim Geon-hee for allegedly giving her a painting by artist Lee Ufan worth 140 million won in February 2023, in exchange for favors related to public appointments and the upcoming general election. He was also accused of receiving 41.39 million won for election-related vehicle expenses while preparing to run in the 2024 general election.
In the first trial, only the charge of violating the Political Funds Act was upheld. The court noted, "The defendant, a legal expert with approximately 14 years of experience as a prosecutor, was well aware of his legal obligations yet actively solicited contributions from a third party," and sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for one year.
In the appeals court, the violation of the Anti-Corruption Act was also found to be valid, resulting in a two-year prison sentence suspended for three years. The court recognized the painting as authentic and confirmed that it was delivered to Kim Geon-hee. Additionally, the sentence for the Political Funds Act violation was increased to one year in prison, suspended for three years.
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, stating that there were no errors in the second trial's judgment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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