"Detaining Both Spouses Is Excessive"
Defense Stresses the Need for Bail
Special Prosecutor: "Significant Risk of Evidence Destruction, Bail Should Be Denied"
Decision on Conditional Release Expected as Early as This Week
On November 12, Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who is currently on trial in detention, requested release on bail during a hearing, citing health reasons. In contrast, the special prosecutor’s team led by Min Junggi argued that the risk of evidence destruction was significant and that the bail request should be denied.
The first trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who was arrested and indicted on charges of stock manipulation related to 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
The 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo Inseong) held both a trial session on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act and a bail hearing for Mrs. Kim on this day. Mrs. Kim entered the courtroom wearing a black suit and a mask, assisted by a correctional officer.
On November 3, Mrs. Kim applied for bail, stating that she was experiencing dizziness and anxiety and needed to stand trial without detention. Her legal team argued, "Due to her time in the detention center, she has not been able to receive proper treatment, and her health has significantly deteriorated." They further stated, "The trial is nearing its end, and most witness examinations have been completed, so there is no longer a risk of evidence destruction." They insisted that bail was necessary so that she could receive adequate medical care.
They added, "We are willing to accept all conditions, such as restricting her residence to her home or a hospital, prohibiting the use of mobile phones, and attaching electronic monitoring devices," and repeatedly appealed, "Please allow her to stand trial at home instead of in the detention center."
On the other hand, the special prosecutor’s team emphasized the seriousness of the case and countered that there was a significant risk of evidence destruction, noting that Mrs. Kim had coordinated testimonies and made false statements with former administrative officer Yoo Jeong and Jeon Seongbae, also known as Geonjin Bopsa. The team stated, "Former administrative officer Yoo Jeong met with Mrs. Kim several times at the Southern Detention Center right before the scheduled witness examination and then deliberately failed to appear and did not answer phone calls." They argued that "if bail is granted, the likelihood of further coordinating testimonies with Yoo Jeong will increase, and there is a high possibility of persuading Mr. Jeon," insisting that bail should be denied.
In response, Mrs. Kim’s legal team said, "Former President Yoon Sukyeol is also in detention and standing trial, so please consider whether it is excessively harsh to detain both spouses and conduct three special prosecutor investigations simultaneously." They further argued, "The defendant’s memory is not intact, and she is in a highly unstable mental and physical state, often mumbling to herself or talking incoherently even while sleeping in the detention center."
Regarding the meetings with former administrative officer Yoo Jeong, they claimed, "Other than talking about pets or medication, there was little else discussed," and explained, "Mrs. Kim is experiencing severe psychological impulses, and hearing news about her pets through Mr. Jeong was meant to help stabilize her mental state."
During the hearing, Mrs. Kim did not speak and only listened with her head bowed. A decision on whether she will be conditionally released is expected as early as this week.
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