Seoul: A Seoul court on Monday granted permission to media organizations to capture photographs and videos of former first lady Kim Keon Hee's initial trial hearing concerning corruption charges, scheduled for later this week. The Seoul Central District Court announced its decision to allow media presence for filming before the commencement of the hearing, which is set for 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the hearing will proceed following the indictment of Kim by special counsel Min Joong-ki. Kim faces charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act, and a law regarding the acceptance of bribes for mediation, with the indictment filed on August 29. The court has specified that the press will be permitted to film from designated areas within the courtroom, but they will be required to vacate once the bench concludes the filming session.
In related developments, Min's team has summoned Kim for questioning on Thursday concerning allegations that she received a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan in return for supporting a former prosecutor's parliamentary bid. Should Kim attend this session, it would be her first appearance before the team since her indictment. She has remained in custody since a warrant for her arrest was issued by the court on August 12.
Min's team intends to interrogate the former first lady about claims that Kim Sang-min, the former prosecutor, transferred the 140 million-won (approximately USD 100,500) painting to her brother. The former prosecutor is accused of offering the painting in exchange for Kim's support in securing the People Power Party's nomination for a parliamentary seat representing Changwon's Uichang district in the April 2024 general elections. While the former prosecutor's defense maintains that the painting was never delivered to Kim, a Seoul court issued a warrant for his arrest last Thursday due to concerns over possible destruction of evidence.