Kim Keon Hee’s appeal verdict will be broadcast live on April 28 after the court approved real-time public access, citing the public interest and strong social attention.
The Seoul High Court said April 24 that its Criminal Division 15-2 (Judges Shin Jong-oh, Sung Eon-ju and Won Ik-seon) will livestream the sentencing hearing at 3 p.m. on April 28 in Kim’s case. The broadcast is expected to show Kim seated in the defendant’s chair and the courtroom interior in real time.
Kim was indicted over allegations tied to Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation, the free provision of opinion polls, and receiving money and valuables linked to the Unification Church.
In the first trial, the court found her not guilty on the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation and opinion-poll allegations. It convicted her on part of the Unification Church-related allegations and sentenced her to 1 year and 8 months in prison.
On appeal, the special counsel sought 11 years in prison, a 2 billion won fine and forfeiture of 832.3 million won over the Deutsche Motors and Unification Church-related charges. For the alleged violation of the Political Funds Act, the special counsel requested four years in prison and forfeiture of 137.2 million won.
A central question in the appeal is whether the first court’s not-guilty and partial-guilty findings will stand, along with any change in sentence.
Separately, the Seoul High Court said it will also livestream the appeal verdict in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s case over allegations of obstructing an arrest by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. That verdict is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 29.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.