First ruling on 'Kim Keon-hee bribery' case nears; special prosecutor seeks 7.5 years

A Seoul court is set to deliver its first ruling on allegations surrounding first lady Kim Keon-hee, in a case involving bribery and influence peddling.

The special prosecutor has requested a prison sentence of 7 years and 6 months for Kim Keon-hee. The court has already found her guilty of accepting a Van Cleef necklace and other gifts, ruling that these constituted bribery in exchange for political favors. The prosecution also alleges that Kim Keon-hee received a "turtle" and a "replicated Sehando painting" as bribes, which the court has also deemed as evidence of guilt.

Further complicating the legal proceedings, the special prosecutor has indicted a prosecutor on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The indictment stems from allegations of pre-trial coordination of response documents submitted by Kim Keon-hee.

The sentencing for former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, who received a 25-year prison sentence in the first trial, is also being closely watched for its potential influence on the appeal hearing for President Yoon Suk-yeol. The ongoing debate over "supplementary investigation rights" continues to be a significant point of contention.

Separately, public opinion polls show varying approval ratings for political figures, with Kim Min-seok at 26%, Chung Jin-rae at 19%, and Song Young-gil at 13%. President Yoon Suk-yeol is scheduled to have lunch with former President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House on July 1st. Meanwhile, Jang Dong-hyuk has returned to public appearances after being discharged from the hospital, citing discomfort. The confirmation hearing for Han Sung-sook has also drawn criticism, with the ruling party calling her a "demon of power" and the opposition accusing them of personal attacks.