The court overseeing the trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who faces allegations of stock price manipulation at Deutsch Motors and accusations of intervening in party nominations, has decided to summon Yoon Sanghyun, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, and Kang Hyekyung, the original whistleblower in the "Myeong Taegyun Gate" case, as witnesses next month.
The first trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who was arrested and indicted on charges of stock price manipulation at Deutsch Motors and allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church, was held on the afternoon of the 24th. Mrs. Kim is entering the courtroom and talking with her lawyer. September 24, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
On September 26, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo Inseong) held a pretrial hearing for Mrs. Kim's case, which involves charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery for mediation).
Although the first trial hearing was held on September 24, the court scheduled this pretrial session to organize the witness examination schedule.
On the next trial date, October 15, the court will question witnesses related to the Deutsch Motors stock price manipulation allegations, followed by the examination of Kang Hyekyung. Regarding the stock manipulation case, the court plans to summon Lee Jeongpil, the primary orchestrator of the first round of stock manipulation, and Min, a former executive at the investment advisory firm Black Pearl Invest, among others.
On October 22, the court will examine Yoon Sanghyun, Lee Junseok, and Myeong Taegyun as witnesses. In subsequent sessions, the court plans to summon former lawmaker Kim Youngsun, Buddhist monk Jeon Seongbae (known as Geonjinbeopsa), and Yoon, the former global headquarters director of the Unification Church, as witnesses.
The special prosecutor previously requested the court to examine a total of 27 key witnesses, including these individuals.
The court stated, "Direct examination will be conducted in October, and cross-examination will begin in November," and asked the prosecution to shorten the time for direct examination. Once the prosecution conducts direct examination of the witnesses it has requested and the court has approved, the defense will proceed with cross-examination.
The court also advised the special prosecutor that Yoon Sanghyun and former lawmaker Kim Youngsun "do not appear to be witnesses to the key facts" and asked, "Please keep the questioning on indirect facts brief." Key facts refer to facts that require proof and are the subject of evidence. These include both external facts that can be perceived and internal facts such as intent or negligence.
The court expressed doubts about whether Yoon Sanghyun, Lee Junseok, and former lawmaker Kim Youngsun would appear in court if summoned as witnesses. However, the special prosecutor responded, "Yoon Sanghyun and Kim Youngsun have consistently appeared and cooperated with investigations," and explained there is no concern about their absence.
The court requested the special prosecutor to minimize the time for direct examination as much as possible and stated, "We will try to summon Yoon Sanghyun and Lee Junseok," but also ordered, "If they do not appear as witnesses and it does not hinder the maintenance of the indictment, please withdraw the summons."
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