The appeal hearing for Kim Geon-hee, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for public office appointments, began this week. A ruling is also expected for Han Duck-soo, the former Prime Minister, who is charged with failing to appoint a constitutional court judge.
According to legal sources on the 23rd, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 15-3, presided over by judges Seong Eon-joo, Won Ik-seon, and Lee Hee-jun, will hold the first hearing for Kim's appeal on the 26th regarding charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery).
Kim is accused of receiving approximately 103.8 million won worth of jewelry, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and earrings, from Lee Bong-kwan, chairman of Seohui Construction, between March 15 and May 20, 2022, under the pretext of soliciting business assistance and a public office appointment for her son-in-law. She is also under investigation for receiving a gold turtle worth 2.65 million won from former National Education Commission Chairman Lee Bae-yong on April 26 and in early June, purportedly in exchange for a request for his appointment.
Additionally, on September 8, 2022, she allegedly accepted a Vacheron Constantin watch valued at 39.9 million won from robot dog entrepreneur Seo Seong-bin in connection with a request for support for the robot dog business. In February 2023, she is accused of receiving a painting by artist Lee Ufan worth 140 million won from former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min in exchange for a request related to the general election. From June 20 to September 13, 2022, she also allegedly received Dior bags worth 5.4 million won from Pastor Choi Jae-young in connection with a request regarding public officials' duties.
The first trial found Kim guilty on all charges and sentenced her to seven years in prison. The court also ordered the confiscation of the seized items, including the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, gold turtle, Vacheron Constantin watch, Lee Ufan painting, and Dior bags, along with a fine of 64.8 million won.
The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 33, led by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, is scheduled to hold a ruling hearing on the case against former Prime Minister Han on the 28th. Han is charged with failing to appoint a constitutional court judge recommended by the National Assembly while serving as acting president after former President Yoon Suk-yeol was suspended from office due to impeachment. He is also accused of nominating candidates Ham Sang-hoon and Lee Wan-kyu as constitutional court judges without properly conducting the personnel verification process.
The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 12-3, presided over by judges Kim Min-a, Lee Seung-cheol, and Jo Jin-goo, will hold the first hearing for the appeal of former presidential office aide Kang Yi-goo on the 24th, who is charged with preparing false official documents. Kang is accused of creating a declaration document dated December 3 to make it appear that the declaration of a state of emergency was legally conducted based on a pre-signed document. The first trial sentenced Kang to 18 months in prison and ordered his immediate detention.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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