Kim Gi-hyeon and Wife Silent Over Luxury Bag Gift to Kim Keon Hee, Both Exercise Right to Remain Silent

[Financial News] Kim Gi-hyeon, a People Power Party lawmaker, and his wife, who were put on trial for allegedly giving Kim Keon Hee a luxury bag worth several million won, both exercised their right to remain silent during defendant questioning in court.
The 22nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Presiding Judge Cho Hyung-woo, held the fifth trial hearing on the morning of the 14th for Kim Gi-hyeon and his wife, Lee Seon-ae, who were indicted on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The court conducted questioning of the defendants.
When questioning began in earnest, Kim Gi-hyeon, who appeared in court that day, clearly stated that he would refuse to testify. He said, in substance, "It is true that my wife gave the bag to Kim Keon Hee, but I was not involved at all in either its purchase or delivery," and did not answer further specific questions.
Kim Gi-hyeon explained his reason for refusing to testify, saying, "Answering each of the many questions in court could lead to unnecessary political controversy or distorted speculation."
He maintained his previous position even when questioned directly by the court. When asked, "Did you hear directly that your wife gave the gift to Kim Keon Hee as a matter of social courtesy?" Kim Gi-hyeon replied, "I know because I heard it," adding, "After media reports came out, I asked her, and she said, 'I gave her a gift, but I did so as a matter of courtesy.'"
Regarding the fact that he learned about the gift only after it had been delivered, he replied, "At the time, I was stationed at the site of the Ulsan Dongseo Power collapse accident, so I was too preoccupied." This indicated that he had not been fully aware of the details of the situation.
Lee Seon-ae, who sat in the defendant's seat and was questioned before Kim Gi-hyeon, also exercised her constitutionally guaranteed right to remain silent and did not speak. Her legal team has acknowledged the objective fact that she gave the bag to Kim Keon Hee during the investigation and trial, while arguing that the gift was merely ceremonial and had no quid pro quo or solicitation purpose, such as supporting Kim Keon Hee's campaign for party leader.
At the hearing, the defense attorney for Kim Gi-hyeon and Lee Seon-ae continued to argue that there were legal flaws in the procedure used by the special counsel team to secure the Roger Vivier clutch bag through a search and seizure of Kim Keon Hee's residence. The argument was that the investigative authorities' seizure procedure violated due process and that the evidence should therefore be excluded.
Kim Gi-hyeon and Lee Seon-ae were previously indicted without detention by the special counsel team late last year on charges of giving Kim Keon Hee a Roger Vivier bag worth approximately 2.6 million won ahead of the People Power Party convention in March 2023. Investigators found that the payment was made from an account into which Kim Gi-hyeon's lawmaker's salary was deposited.
With both defendants exercising their right to remain silent during questioning, the court plans to continue the proceedings by examining the evidence and written arguments to determine whether they were substantively involved, whether the matter was related to official duties, and whether a quid pro quo was proven.
[email protected] Chang-hoon Lee Reporter