The special counsel team investigating former first lady Kim Keon Hee (led by Special Counsel Min Joong-ki) sought a prison term of seven years and six months for Kim, who was indicted on charges of receiving jewelry and a gold turtle in exchange for influence over public appointments.
The special counsel made the request to the court at the final hearing on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (acceptance of bribes through good offices), held Wednesday before the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Cho Soon-pyo. Prosecutors also requested the forfeiture of items allegedly received in return for favors, including a painting by artist Lee Ufan, a gold turtle, a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and a Dior bag, along with the additional collection of approximately 56.36 million won. The verdict will be delivered at 2 p.m. on the 26th of next month.
The special counsel pointed out that Kim made her influence as the president's spouse the object of monetary transactions. Holding the position closest to the president, she allegedly received various solicitations and accepted money and goods using her influence over the state's public authority, including personnel decisions, party nominations and government projects, as leverage.
"The greatest danger of power-type corruption crimes does not lie in the simple acceptance of money and goods," the special counsel said. "The defendant's offenses go beyond the level of mere personal misconduct and have seriously damaged the public's trust in the fairness and integrity of state power." The prosecution further noted, "Despite committing corruption crimes of a magnitude rarely seen in constitutional history, the defendant denies the offenses by claiming that the money and goods she received were merely customary gifts based on personal acquaintance."
Kim is accused of receiving approximately 103.8 million won worth of items, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and earrings, from Lee Bong-kwan between March 15 and May 20, 2022, in exchange for a personnel solicitation involving his eldest son-in-law, former Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Park Sung-keun. She is also charged with receiving a gold turtle and a replica of "Sehando" worth 2.65 million won from Lee Bae-yong in April and June of the same year. In addition, she allegedly received a Vacheron Constantin wristwatch worth 33.9 million won from businessman Seo Sung-bin in return for support for a robot dog business. Kim's side has acknowledged some of the receipts of money and goods but maintains that there was no quid pro quo for any solicitation.
