First lady Kim Keon-hee, who was indicted on charges including receiving luxury bags and other valuables from the Unification Church side, was sentenced to prison in the first trial. Supporters gathered in front of the court applauded when some of the indicted charges were found not guilty, then, when the guilty verdict came, argued that there was a "collapse of the rule of law."
At about 2 p.m. on the day, around 30 people gathered near the east gate of the Seoul Central District Court, including a one-person protest. Shouting "First lady, fighting" and "Arrest Lee Jae-myung," they waved placards reading "We are Yoon Suk-yeol," "Appoint a special counsel for Min Joong-ki," and "Martial law was justified." In the cold, some wrapped themselves in scarves reading "Yoon Again" or blankets printed with "MKGA (Make Korea Great Again)."
To prepare for contingencies, the Seoul Central District Court temporarily closed all entrances to the courthouse except the east gate on the day. Entry of general vehicles was also banned, except for essential work vehicles.
When the sentencing began at 2:10 p.m., supporters watched the court's live broadcast on their smartphones and listened closely to the presiding judge's remarks. The Criminal Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding judge Woo In-seong, senior judge) found Kim not guilty of the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation (violation of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act) and the Myung Tae-gyun poll (violation of the Political Funds Act) charges. Supporters patted each other on the shoulder and cheered, saying, "That's a relief."
The mood quickly froze. Regarding the charge of bribery by brokerage under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, the court ruled to the effect that from April to July 2022, Kim conspired with "Geonjin" Jeon Seong-bae to receive valuables including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag along with a request for support for the denomination from former Unification Church World Headquarters chief Yoon Young-ho.
Supporters raised their voices, saying even a suspended sentence should be given. When the court soon sentenced her to one year and eight months in prison, shouts of "The rule of law has collapsed" and expletives criticizing the bench erupted. Supporters chanted, "Appoint a special counsel for Min Joong-ki."
A person identified as A, 81, who attended the rally, said, "I've been taking part since the Hannam-dong rally," adding, "I will continue to support President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee." Another supporter, saying, "I hear the first lady is not in good health, and I'm very worried," grew teary-eyed.
The transport vehicle carrying Kim left the court at around 3:15 p.m. that day. Supporters shouted toward the vehicle, "Yoon Again," "First lady, stay strong," and more.
The special counsel team investigating Kim Keon-hee said it is "extremely hard to accept" the first trial ruling and signaled an appeal. Kim's side also plans to decide whether to appeal after reviewing the charges on which she was found guilty.