Prosecution Refiles 3 Million Won Fine Against Kim Hye-kyung for Violation of Public Official Election Act

The prosecution has once again requested a fine of 3 million won for Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted without detention on charges of providing meals to spouses of current and former members of the National Assembly during the presidential candidate primary period.

Spouse of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Hye-kyung. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 24th, at the sentencing hearing for Kim's violation of the Public Official Election Act held at the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Park Jeong-ho), the prosecution stated, "This case involves the defendant attempting to bribe influential politicians with money, making the crime serious," and requested the fine accordingly.

Earlier, the prosecution indicted Kim without detention on charges of donation acts for providing meals worth a total of 104,000 won using a Gyeonggi Province corporate card on August 2, 2021, at a restaurant in Seoul to three spouses of Democratic Party lawmakers, as well as three others including drivers and aides, following Lee's declaration to run in the party's presidential primary.

Kim's side has denied the charges, stating, "At the time, the defendant believed that the other attendees each paid their own way, and the defendant was completely unaware that the meals for the three attendees were paid using the Gyeonggi Province corporate card."

Originally, this trial concluded its arguments on July 25 when the prosecution requested a fine of 3 million won, but the court resumed arguments ex officio on August 12, one day before the verdict. The sentencing date is set for November 14.