The appeal verdict for Kim Geon-hee, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for receiving bribes under the pretext of personnel and business solicitations, is expected this week. The Seoul High Court will also announce its decision regarding Im Seong-geun, a former Marine Corps commander, who was sentenced to prison for perjury related to lobbying allegations.
According to legal sources on September 20, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 15-3, presided over by judges Seong Eon-joo, Won Ik-seon, and Lee Hee-jun, will deliver its ruling on Kim's appeal on September 22 in connection with charges of receiving bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Kim is accused of receiving gifts, including a necklace, earrings, a gold turtle, and a wristwatch, from Lee Bong-kwan, chairman of Seohui Construction, Lee Bae-yong, former chairman of the National Education Commission, and Seo Seong-bin, CEO of Drone Dome, in exchange for personnel and business favors.
The first trial recognized the quid pro quo between the gifts and the solicitations, sentencing Kim to seven years in prison and ordering the forfeiture of some gifts along with a restitution of 64.8 million won.
The special prosecutor's team, led by Min Jung-ki, argued that the original sentence was not excessive given Kim's position as the spouse of the president, which allowed her to influence public decision-making. Kim's defense contends that the connection between the solicitations and the gifts has not been proven, maintaining her innocence.
On the same day, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 2-3, presided over by judges Kim Young-hyun, Baek Seung-yeop, and Hwang Seung-tae, will also announce its ruling on Im Seong-geun's appeal regarding charges of violating the National Assembly Witness Protection Act.
Im is accused of perjury for claiming he could not recall the list of invitees for the Marine Corps' double dragon training and the password to his mobile phone during a National Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing. He is also charged with falsely testifying that he had never met or known Lee Jong-ho, a former representative of Black Pearl Invest, who is known to have managed Kim's accounts.
The first trial found him guilty on all counts, sentencing him to one year and six months in prison. Although Im claims he is innocent, the special prosecutor's team for the deceased Marines has requested a harsher sentence of three years.
Additionally, the formal trial for Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, is set to begin. The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 27, presided over by Chief Judge Woo In-seong, will hold the first hearing on September 21 regarding charges of violating the Political Parties Act.
Lee is accused of directing his followers to join the People Power Party en masse around the time of the 20th presidential election and the 22nd general election. He has been indicted and detained for allegedly coercing at least 56,472 followers to join the party from 2021 to 2024. This trial will address charges related to party membership from July 2021, which were filed in June due to the approaching statute of limitations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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