‘Violation of Public Official Election Act’ Kim Hye-kyung First Trial Sentencing Today…Prosecution Demands 3 Million Won Fine

The first trial verdict for Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of hosting meals for spouses of National Assembly members using the Gyeonggi Province corporate card during the presidential candidate primary process, will be held on the 14th.

Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Criminal Division 13 of Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Park Jeong-ho) will hold the first trial verdict session at 2 p.m. on the same day for Kim, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Originally, the trial concluded its arguments on July 25 when the prosecution requested a fine of 3 million won, but the court resumed the arguments ex officio on August 12, one day before the verdict.

Kim was brought to trial on February 14 this year on charges of donation acts for providing a meal worth approximately 104,000 won to six people, including three spouses of current and former Democratic Party National Assembly members, her own driver, and aides, at a restaurant in Seoul on August 2, 2021, after Lee declared his candidacy in the party's presidential primary.

At the last prosecution hearing, the prosecution stated, "The defendant committed the crime to bribe influential politicians with money, and regardless of the amount, the nature of the crime is serious. Despite betraying the public's trust in public officials, Kim shifts responsibility to her private aide Bae, showing no remorse," and requested a fine of 3 million won.

In her final statement, Kim said, "I was not involved in the crime and did not order Bae to pay for the meal, but it is true that even I find the situation suspicious," adding, "From now on, as a politician's wife, I will not cause even a small incident."

Meanwhile, Bae, who was indicted as an accomplice in this case, was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a two-year probation for violating the Public Official Election Act, and the sentence has been finalized.