Kim Geon-hee, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for receiving expensive gifts in exchange for favors, denied the charges during the first hearing of her appeal. While she expressed remorse for accepting some gifts, her legal team argued that there was no quid pro quo between the gifts and the requests.
The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 15-3, presided over by judges Seong Eon-joo, Won Ik-seon, and Lee Hee-jun, held the first hearing of Kim's appeal on August 26 regarding the charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery).
Kim's defense cited factual errors, legal misunderstandings, and excessive sentencing as grounds for the appeal. Her attorney stated, "Lee Bong-gwan, chairman of Seohui Construction, merely delivered gifts out of a vague hope to maintain a good relationship with the new government," and claimed that the gold turtle and replica of 'Sehan-do' received from former National Education Commission Chairman Lee Bae-yong were part of customary exchanges due to their friendship.
She acknowledged, "I deeply regret my lack of caution in accepting some gifts as the spouse of the president," but argued that the seven-year prison sentence imposed in the first trial was excessively harsh.
In contrast, the special prosecutor's team, led by Min Jung-ki, requested the dismissal of the appeal, stating that Kim's claims had already been rejected in the first trial.
During the hearing, Jeong Ji-won, a former administrative officer who had long served Kim, testified. Kim's defense called him as a witness to prove that the Vacheron Constantin watch, valued at 39.9 million won, received from businessman Seo Seong-bin was not a bribe but rather a request for a purchase on behalf of Kim.
Jeong testified that Kim often had her aides make purchases and then reimbursed them in cash. He recounted that at Kim's request, he bought a vase worth 1.47 million won in December 2022 and a dish worth 13.25 million won in January of the following year, receiving cash for both purchases.
He explained that the dish was bought for serving refreshments to foreign dignitaries, as the existing dishware in the residence was outdated and not suitable for the occasion. He added that Kim learned flower arrangement to reduce costs for floral decorations in the residence.
Testimony also revealed that Kim's mother, Choi Eun-soon, provided her with monthly living expenses in cash ranging from 5 to 10 million won after former President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation as prosecutor general. Jeong stated he witnessed Kim handing an envelope containing cash to Seo in her private residence.
However, when questioned by the special prosecutor about how he knew the money was for the watch purchase, he responded, "It wouldn't make sense to give money otherwise, and since the watch was later brought, I assumed it was for that." The special prosecutor pointed out that unlike other purchased items, the payment for the watch had not been fully settled even after Kim received it.
Kim's defense also requested additional appraisal of the painting 'Dot from No. 800298' by artist Lee U-hwan, which was allegedly received from former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min, arguing it could be a forgery, but this request was denied.
The court expressed skepticism, stating, "Even if it is determined to be a forgery and valued at zero, it raises questions about whether the bribery charge still stands," and indicated it would examine the fact that Kim Sang-min paid 140 million won for the painting. The court intends to focus on the relationship between the receipt of valuables and the requests related to public office duties, rather than the authenticity or current value of the painting.
In the first trial, Kim was found guilty of receiving valuables worth 103.8 million won from Lee, along with requests for personnel favors, and was also convicted for receiving the watch from Seo in exchange for business support and the painting from Kim Sang-min in return for election nomination favors, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of 64.8 million won.
The court plans to hear final arguments from both sides on September 9 and conclude the proceedings, with a verdict expected on September 22, barring any special circumstances.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.