Special Prosecutor Seeks One-Year Prison Term for Kim Ki-hyun over "Luxury Gift to Kim Keon-hee"

Accused of Providing a Gift in Return for Support in Party Leadership Race
Special Prosecutor Seeks Six-Month Sentence for Spouse
Verdict to Be Delivered at 2 p.m. on October 30

A special prosecutor has requested a one-year prison sentence for Kim Ki-hyun, Member of the People Power Party, who was indicted for handing a luxury clutch bag to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. For his spouse, Lee Seon-ae, who purchased the bag, the prosecutor requested a six-month prison term.

Kim Ki-hyun, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

On September 28, at the sentencing hearing held by the 22nd Criminal Division (presiding judge Cho Hyungwoo) of the Seoul Central District Court, Special Prosecutor Min Jungki’s team made these sentencing recommendations for the couple, who are accused of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The prosecution also requested the forfeiture of the clutch bag that had been passed to the First Lady.

The couple is accused of presenting a Roger Vivier clutch bag, worth approximately 2.6 million won, to the First Lady on March 17, 2023, as a token of appreciation for former President Yoon Seok-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee helping Kim Ki-hyun win the People Power Party leadership at the party convention on March 8, 2023. According to the indictment, on March 16, Lee purchased the bag at the Hyundai Department Store’s Apgujeong Main Branch and gave it to Kim, who then met a presidential office official the next day and delivered it.

The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act prohibits providing money or valuables to the spouse of a public official in relation to the official’s duties. The special prosecutor argued that "the provision of valuables in this case cannot be regarded as stemming from a personal relationship," and that "given the political context between the defendants, the President, and Kim Keon-hee at the time, as well as the timing of the gift, the act reflects a combination of power relations and work-related interests."

The defendants' attitude was also cited as a factor in sentencing. The special prosecutor stated, "From the start of the investigation up to this court hearing, the defendants have neither provided sufficient explanation nor shown genuine remorse," adding, "They responded to the court's questions either with silence or with arrogant indifference."

Kim's legal team claimed innocence. The attorney argued that the bag and the enclosed letter were both in Lee's name, and the letter did not mention Kim’s name or express gratitude for support in the party leadership election, so there was no collusion. They also stated that the credit card payment notification was sent to Lee's phone and that Kim could not have known about the purchase. Furthermore, the lawyer argued that if the gift had been meant as a thank-you for election support, former President Yoon should also have received a gift, but there was no record of such a purchase.

The legal team also denied any job-related connection. The attorney insisted, "The party leadership election is not subject to the Public Official Election Act and is not related to the President’s official duties," adding, "Kim Keon-hee is not a public official under the law."

The admissibility of evidence was also contested. Kim's attorney pointed out that when the special prosecutor searched the First Lady’s residence, the warrant listed only Dior clothing, a belt, and a bracelet as items to be seized. The defense argued that, after the search had concluded, the prosecutors unlawfully opened the Roger Vivier box and found the letter and a Post-it, asserting this evidence was collected in violation of due process.

The special prosecutor’s authority was also challenged. The attorney contended that the special prosecutor had no jurisdiction because, at the time the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Act was passed in the National Assembly, the suspicion now at issue did not exist. The defense called for the case to be dismissed, arguing that the indictment only described the gift as delivered "somewhere through a presidential office official," and thus did not specify the location or manner of the alleged offense.

Kim presented a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation himself. He asserted that, when the party convention rules were changed in December 2022 to reflect 100% party member voting, the main frontrunner for party leadership had been Kwon Seong-dong, and that "the argument that the rule change was intended to benefit Kim Ki-hyun is an unreasonable leap in logic." He also denied ever having met or spoken with anyone from the Unification Church.

In his final statement, Kim said, "I apologize to the public for causing concern with this incident," adding, "In more than 20 years of politics, I have never been involved in any corruption." He went on to say, "I hope the court will make a wise judgment after thoroughly considering the evidence and facts in accordance with the law."

Taking the podium in tears, Lee said, "It is true that I gave a gift to the First Lady, but it had nothing to do with the party leadership election and I did not expect anything in return." She stated, "It was an act of social courtesy between spouses, as my husband became party leader."

The verdict will be delivered at 2 p.m. on October 30.

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