Special Prosecutor: "Spent Criminal Proceeds on Herself"
Kim Yesung's Side: "Not Subject to Special Prosecutor's Investigation"
Court to Deliver Verdict on February 5 Next Year
Kim Yesung, known as the 'Kim Gunhee Housekeeper,' who was indicted and detained on charges of embezzling company funds, pleaded for leniency during her final statement, saying, "I am not a housekeeper who lives off the powerful, but an entrepreneur who started a business with my own intentions. I have never even been to the presidential office." The special prosecutor's team led by Min Jungki requested an eight-year prison sentence for Kim.
On the 22nd, the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyunkyung) held the final hearing for Kim, who is charged with aggravated embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.
On this day, the special prosecutor's team requested an eight-year prison sentence and a forfeiture of approximately 830 million won. The team stated, "Despite the large amount of damages, Kim continues to deny the charges, making recovery difficult," and pointed out, "Kim used the criminal proceeds to acquire real estate and stocks worth about 3 billion won at market value, and even while fleeing in Vietnam, spent the money on herself by staying at five-star hotels."
In response, Kim's legal team argued, "This case is a personal embezzlement case unrelated to Kim Gunhee and should have been referred to the police," adding, "However, selectively indicting some matters while excluding others based on arbitrary judgment constitutes targeted and discretionary prosecution." They further insisted, "Since this does not fall under the special prosecutor's mandate, the indictment should be dismissed."
In her final statement, Kim said, "In the past, I was acquainted with a prosecutor couple, and after the impeachment, I was labeled as Kim Gunhee's housekeeper and accused, along with Mrs. Kim, of having committed serious wrongdoing," adding, "I had to endure a harsh special prosecutor's investigation, but what the special prosecutor found was that it was unrelated to Mrs. Kim, and I have never been to the Hannam-dong official residence or the presidential office."
She continued, "It was my wrongdoing to use another person's name or a different pretext to reduce taxes, and I deeply regret and reflect on my actions," stating, "I will take responsibility and atone for my actions regarding taxes."
Kim emphasized, "I am not a housekeeper living off the powerful, but an entrepreneur who started a business with a purpose," and pleaded, "Please grant me leniency so that I can protect my family and return as a responsible member of society."
The verdict for Kim is scheduled for February 5 next year at 2:00 p.m.
Kim is considered a key figure in the so-called 'Housekeeper Gate.' She was indicted and detained by the special prosecutor's team, along with IMS Mobility CEO Cho Youngtak, on charges of embezzling 2.43 billion won after IMS Mobility-a rental car company she helped establish and in which she held shares-illegally received 18.4 billion won in investments from companies such as Kakao Mobility, HS Hyosung, and Shinhan Bank through the private equity fund manager Oasis Equity Partners in 2023.
At the time of the investment, IMS Mobility was effectively in a state of capital impairment, and according to the special prosecutor's team, the investors provided funds as a form of insurance or compensation, considering their connections with Kim and Mrs. Kim. However, the special prosecutor's team has reportedly not found any direct links to Mrs. Kim thus far.
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