"Still Mocked as 'Mistress'... Tears of Injustice" Attorney's Post After Kim Keon-hee's Tearful Statement

"Taunted as 'Julie' or 'Cohabitant'"
"A Life Trampled by Falsehoods"

Kim Keonhee, who was sentenced to seven years in prison in the first trial on charges of so-called “pay-for-position” corruption, became tearful in her appeal trial, saying she lost all her wealth and honor after her husband, former President Yoon Sukyeol, became president. Her attorney commented on the trial, emphasizing, “The truth will eventually come out.”

Former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife Kim Keonhee. Presidential Office

On September 9, the special prosecutors’ team led by Min Jungki requested that the Seoul High Court (Criminal Division 15-3, Judges Seong Eonju, Won Ikseon, and Lee Heejun) reject Kim's appeal and sentence her to the same seven-year prison term as in the first trial for receiving bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

In the first trial, Kim was found guilty of receiving valuables worth a total of 103.8 million won, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and a Tiffany & Co. brooch from Seohee Construction, a gold turtle from former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bayong, and a luxury watch from a businessman surnamed Seo.

Kim Keonhee: "I Lost Wealth and Honor Because of My Husband"—Tearful Final Statement

Kim’s legal team repeated her not-guilty plea, acknowledging she received the items but insisting there was no solicitation involved. In her final statement, Kim said, “The position of being the president’s spouse is one of utmost responsibility, and I should have been more cautious. But I cannot admit to things I did not do.” She added, “Anyone who has worked with President Yoon knows—he is not the kind of person who will do favors just because his wife asks. This is so unjust.”

She continued, “To me, being the president’s spouse is a position where you give up even more for the country. Before I got married, I made much more money running my own business, but after my husband became president, I lost everything—my wealth and my honor.” She concluded, “Please, don’t let my entire life be defined by falsehoods. I sincerely ask the court to at least protect my minimal honor. I deeply apologize for the distress my shortcomings have caused. I will live with regret for the rest of my life,” she said tearfully.

"Legal Team Also in Tears ... The Truth Will Come Out"

Afterward, Kim’s attorney, Yujung Hwa, wrote on her social media, “This was essentially the first time Mrs. Kim spoke so directly in her own words during a final statement. None of us on the legal team had expected such a statement, and in the end, we all cried with her.”

Attorney Yoo emphasized, “Some are still mocking Mrs. Kim with unsubstantiated rumors, calling her names like ‘Julie’ or ‘cohabitant’ and even defaming her mother as a scam artist, determined to trample on someone’s life with unfounded stories and falsehoods. I understand there are people like that in our own camp as well. But I truly believe the truth will eventually be revealed.”

A past photo of Mrs. Kim Gun-hee doing flower arrangement. Captured from the social media of Jeong Ji-won, former Presidential Office administrator.

Attorney Yoo also stated, “As someone who has personally reviewed the case files and stood by Mrs. Kim throughout these proceedings, I know she is not so shameless as to sell public office for money or gifts. Moreover, President Yoon is certainly not the kind of person who would allow his spouse to use presidential powers or official positions in that way.”

Commenting as counsel for the former presidential couple, Attorney Yoo said, “I’ve been closer than anyone to the records, the evidence, and the parties themselves. That’s why I believe I am at least a little closer to the substantive truth. The more I examine the records and the more trials proceed, the more I am overwhelmed by the injustice the two are facing—I too feel as if I am weeping tears of blood.”

She concluded, “I do not have any extraordinary hopes for this appeals court panel. I just ask you to judge solely based on the law, the evidence, and the records submitted to the court—not on public opinion, politics, or preconceived images. As a defense attorney, this is sincerely my one and only wish as today’s closing arguments come to an end.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.