The Seoul Central District Court decided to allow the media to film in the courtroom at the first trial of first lady Kim Keon-hee, scheduled for the 24th. Filming in the courtroom is permitted only before the start of the proceedings. Once the presiding judge declares the end of filming, the media must leave the courtroom. The trial will not be broadcast live. Kim said through her attorney that she will attend the hearing on the 24th.
The case in which Kim is standing trial was indicted with detention by the special counsel on the 29th of last month. She faces charges of violating the Capital Markets Act in connection with the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case, violating the Political Funds Act in connection with the 2022 and 2024 election intervention cases, and bribery by brokerage in connection with a case in which the Unification Church allegedly sought favors through the fortune-teller Geonjin.
This case proceeded directly to a full trial without going through a preparatory date to organize the key issues and evidence. The media filed an application for permission to film in the courtroom on the 16th, and the court granted the request on the 22nd.
Under Supreme Court rules, the presiding judge may permit filming inside the courtroom if the defendant consents. Even without the defendant's consent, filming may be permitted if it is deemed reasonably necessary for the public interest.
Earlier, the Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon), which is in charge of the insurrection trial, also allowed the media to film in court for former President Yoon Suk-yeol's trial in Apr.