In court, Ms. Kim, who was indicted in the so-called "buying and selling of offices" case, flatly denied the charges.
According to legal sources on the 17th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 21 (Presiding Judge Jo Soon-pyo) held the first trial in the morning for Ms. Kim Keon-hee, who is charged with receiving a bribe for mediation under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Ms. Kim appeared in court wearing a black suit and a mask. Also present were Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-gwan, former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, and robot dog entrepreneur Seo Seong-bin, who are accused of giving Ms. Kim money and valuables.
Ms. Kim is accused of receiving jewelry and other items worth 103.8 million won from Chairman Lee of Seohee Construction in return for a personnel solicitation on behalf of her eldest son-in-law, former Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Park Sung-geun; receiving a gold turtle worth 2.65 million won from former Chairperson Lee in return for an appointment solicitation; and receiving a wristwatch worth 39.9 million won from entrepreneur Mr. Seo in return for a business support solicitation.
Ms. Kim's attorney denied the charges. Ms. Kim's side said, "We acknowledge the fact that some items were received, but we clearly deny any quid pro quo arising from solicitation or mediation." They added, "The special counsel reconstructed the case solely from ex post results without direct evidence."
They said that although she received a necklace and earrings from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-gwan, those were merely congratulatory gifts for the election victory, and there was no quid pro quo tied to any specific solicitation.
Regarding the gold turtle received from former Chairperson Lee Bae-young, they said it was "a return gesture for expensive cosmetics that had been gifted," and argued that the wristwatch from robot dog entrepreneur Seo Seong-bin was "merely a proxy purchase request."
At the trial, Chairman Lee's side admitted all the charges. Entrepreneur Mr. Seo's side flatly denied the charges, while former Chairperson Lee's side sought a dismissal of the indictment.
The special counsel also delivered a sentencing recommendation for Chairman Lee at the hearing. The special counsel said, "Although Chairman Lee is elderly, he sought to gain benefits through expensive money and valuables," and asked the court to sentence him to one year in prison. Chairman Lee said, "I deeply reflect. Please show leniency."
The next trial is scheduled for the 20th.