Kim Gunhee Admits to Receiving Two Chanel Bags: "Deeply Reflecting on My Shortcomings"

"It Was Not a Quid Pro Quo for Requests from the Unification Church"

Kim Gunhee has, for the first time, admitted to receiving two Chanel bags from the Unification Church through Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, and has apologized for her actions. However, she emphasized that these were not given as a quid pro quo for any requests from the Unification Church.

Kim Gunhee, who was arrested and indicted on charges including stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors, interference in nomination by Myung Taekyun, and allegations of solicitation and bribery involving the Unification Church (wife of the dismissed former president Yoon Seokyoul), bowed her head after attending the first trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th.

On the 5th, Kim's legal team stated, "Kim Gunhee acknowledges that she received two bags as gifts from Mr. Jeon, as described in the indictment. She deeply regrets disappointing the public due to her inappropriate conduct, especially as the spouse of a public official, and reflects on her actions." However, she denied receiving the Graff necklace.

The legal team also argued that Mr. Jeon's statements are unreliable, stating, "His testimony has changed multiple times from the early stages of the investigation through to the court proceedings." Previously, Mr. Jeon testified to the special prosecutor's team that he had received valuables from the Unification Church but lost them and was unable to deliver them to Kim. However, he later reversed his statement during his own trial, admitting that he had delivered the valuables and submitted the actual bags to the court. While the special prosecutor's team noted that the bags showed signs of use, Kim's side asserted on this day, "All of the gifts were returned to Mr. Jeon without being used."

The legal team also argued that the charge of "accepting brokerage under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes," which is one of the charges brought by the special prosecutor's team, does not apply. They stated, "The special prosecutor's team claims that Kim Gunhee received requests as a quid pro quo for the valuables, but no such request was conveyed to her."

The legal team further stated, "Through this incident, Kim Gunhee has come to fully realize the gravity of being the spouse of a public official and the high expectations of the public. She intends to participate faithfully in all procedures and to reveal the truth without a single lie."