Accused of so-called "selling posts" for taking various valuables in exchange for requests for public office and business favors, first lady Kim Keon-hee, who was sentenced to seven years in prison at the first trial, strongly denied the charges at the appellate hearing and said in effect that "I lost everything because my husband ended up becoming president."
On Sept. 9, at the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 15-3 (High Court Judges Seong Eon-joo, Won Ik-seon, and Lee Hee-jun), during the closing arguments of the appeal trial on charges of brokered bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, Kim stated accordingly.
Kim argued not guilty to all charges. Kim said, "I have never once used the powers of the president to give a position or a business opportunity," adding, "Those who have worked with former President Yoon will know what I mean. He is not someone who agrees just because his wife asks."
She also said to the effect that it would have been economically advantageous before marrying former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Kim said, "My husband ended up becoming president, and I lost everything—my assets, my honor," and added, "If I had rather run my business and worked hard on exhibitions before marriage, it would have been far more economically beneficial."
The special counsel team investigating Kim Keon-hee (Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki) asked the court to dismiss Kim's appeal and sought the original sentence of seven years in prison. Special Counsel Kim Han-soo said, "Because the president's spouse falls outside what the legislature could have anticipated, if we simply apply brokered bribery to the defendant, it is questionable whether the statutory sentence itself is appropriate," noting, "Even assuming the maximum sentence allowed by law, it would be insufficient."
Kim is accused of receiving valuables worth 103.8 million won, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and earrings, from Lee Bong-gwan, chair of Seohee Construction, between March and May 2022 in return for business conveniences and under the pretext of a personnel solicitation for his eldest son-in-law, former Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Park Sung-keun.
She is also accused of receiving a gold turtle and "Sehando" worth 2.65 million won from former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong in April and June of the same year, and a Vacheron wristwatch worth 39.9 million won from Seo Seong-bin under the pretext of help related to a robot dog project.
The first trial court found all charges against Kim guilty and sentenced her to seven years in prison. It also ordered the forfeiture of one painting by artist Lee Ufan that was seized, a Vacheron Constantin watch box, a gold turtle case, a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, a Tiffany brooch, and a Dior pouch, and imposed an additional collection of 64.8 million won.
Kim appealed the first-trial verdict. The special counsel team, which had sought seven years and six months in prison, did not appeal.
The appellate rulings for Kim and former Chairperson Lee are set for the 22nd.