In the first trial over alleged development favors in Yangpyeong Gongheung District, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seon-kyo and first lady Kim Keon-hee's family denied the charges.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 35 (Presiding Judge Baek Dae-hyeon, Director General judge) on the 3rd held the first preparatory hearing for the case in which lawmaker Kim, Kim's mother Choi Eun-sun, and brother Kim Jin-woo are charged with breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, among other offenses.
A preparatory hearing is a procedure to confirm the positions of the defendant and the prosecution and discuss plans to present evidence before full proceedings. Defendants are not required to attend. Lawmaker Kim, Choi, and Kim did not appear in court.
Kim is accused of taking a request from the first lady's family in connection with the Yangpyeong Gongheung District urban development project while serving as Yangpyeong County head, and instructing county office officials to exempt or reduce their development charges.
The special counsel determined that, due to the request, the developer ESI&D operated by Choi and Kim gained profits of about 2.2 billion won, and Yangpyeong County suffered losses in the same amount.
However, Kim's side denied all charges. Kim's side said, "Contrary to the indictment, there was no interaction with Choi and others," and argued, "We did not receive a report on the development charge matter, nor did we approve it."
Choi and Kim's side also completely denied the facts alleged by prosecutors.
The two are accused of conspiring to use reporter A from a local newspaper, who had significant influence over Yangpyeong County officials at the time, as a lobbying channel to obtain favors in the permitting process for the Yangpyeong Gongheung District urban development project, paying money as purported wages and allowing the use of a corporate card.
Meanwhile, at the hearing, there was a scuffle between the defense and the special counsel over a report related to the death of a Yangpyeong County Office official. This refers to the case in which a Yangpyeong County Office official who was questioned by the special counsel in Oct. last year in connection with the Yangpyeong Gongheung District allegations died. The case sparked controversy over coercive investigation by the special counsel.
Kim's side asked the court to order the submission of the National Human Rights Commission's named decision and investigation report, and the special counsel's audit report, regarding the deceased Yangpyeong County official. The special counsel said, "We offer our condolences that (the Yangpyeong official) died eight days after being interrogated as a suspect during the special counsel's investigation," but added, "It is difficult to accept the request to submit an internal audit report."
The court said, "The special counsel has said cooperation is difficult regarding the audit report," and added, "If necessary, the defense may apply in writing, and the court will decide."
The court said it will hold one more preparatory hearing on the 3rd of next month and then proceed to a full court hearing.