Seoul:A district court in Seoul acquitted a lawmaker from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) of anti-graft charges related to a luxury gift given to former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon was not guilty of violating the anti-graft law concerning a Roger Vivier clutch bag. The bag was gifted by his wife to the then first lady in March 2023.
Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team had recommended a one-year prison sentence for Kim Gi-hyeon, arguing that the gift was intended to gain support for his leadership election within the PPP earlier that month. However, the court found no grounds for convicting the lawmaker.
While Rep. Kim was acquitted, his wife was convicted of the charges and was sentenced to pay a fine of 5 million won (US$3,750). The special counsel had originally sought a six-month prison sentence for her.