Kim Kee-hee on Trial for Corruption
Kim Kee-hee, the spouse of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, made her court appearance on Wednesday as her corruption trial commenced.
She faces allegations of bribery and stock manipulation. Upon arriving at Seoul Central District Court, Kim donned a black suit, marking her first public appearance since her husband’s arrest in August.
In a brief proclamation to the court, she confirmed her identity and requested a bench trial instead of a jury trial, yet she refrained from commenting on the charges.
Prosecutors detailed the claims against Kim, including accusations of stock manipulation and soliciting electricity brokers for votes, along with violations of political funding laws due to accepting bribes from the Unified Church of Korea.
Her defense team denied the accusations, asserting that the prosecution hadn’t provided adequate evidence.
If found guilty of any charges, Kim could be subject to fines or potentially face up to five years in prison.
The controversy surrounding her acceptance of a Dior bag, captured on hidden camera, cast a long shadow over her husband’s presidency. This was exacerbated by a dramatic declaration of martial law in December that led to his resignation.
Meanwhile, Yoon is facing charges related to the riots and has been incarcerated since July.
Han Hak Ja, the leader of the Unified Church of Korea, is imprisoned on charges of orchestrating bribes to Kim for political gains.
Prosecutors claimed that the church provided Kim with luxury gifts, including two Chanel bags, a necklace, and a set of Korean ginseng. However, her attorney insisted that she did not accept these items.
Han refuted the claims, labeling them as “false information.”
The Unified Church, established in the 1950s by self-proclaimed Messiah Moon, is notorious for its grand weddings and has historically encountered criticism regarding its fundraising practices and ongoing political issues, especially in light of recent controversies in Japan following the assassination of former Prime Minister Abe.
