Democratic Party: "Kim Keon Hee's Additional Detention Is a Natural Decision"

The Democratic Party of Korea on Tuesday called the Supreme Court’s issuance of an additional arrest warrant for Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, “a natural decision in line with common sense,” and urged the court to deliver a swift and stern ruling.

Yonhap News

Park Seongjun, the party’s senior spokesperson, said in a written briefing Tuesday, “Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to seven years in prison in the first trial and five years in the second for soliciting and accepting favors in exchange for selling public office, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, a painting by artist Lee Ufan and a golden turtle.” He added, “The mere fact that Kim Keon Hee nearly walked free because of delays in her trial is shocking to the public.”

Park said, “The Supreme Court referred the case involving the ‘three major allegations against Kim Keon Hee’ to a full bench a day before the verdict was due, and has yet to reach a decision three months later.” He added, “Issuing this warrant has only bought time; it has not restored justice.”

“The five-year prison sentence handed down in the second trial is far too lenient compared with the crime of exploiting public office to obtain luxury goods,” Park said. “The public wants justice without delay and punishment commensurate with the crime, so the Supreme Court must deliver a stern ruling.”

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, the Supreme Court’s Second Division, with Justice Oh Kyung-mi presiding, held a hearing on Kim’s arrest warrant and issued it on the grounds that she might “destroy evidence or flee.” Kim’s detention period, which was due to expire on October 31, was extended by two months.

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