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Kim Keon-hee acquitted of receiving free poll data for political favors

From Hankyoreh · (5m ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The appeals court acquitted First Lady Kim Keon-hee of charges related to receiving free opinion poll data in exchange for political favors.
  • The court ruled that the opinion poll data provided by political broker Myung Tae-gyun did not constitute a bribe and that Kim was not involved in political activities warranting such charges.
  • This decision upholds the first trial's acquittal on these specific charges, contrasting with the guilty verdict on other counts.

In a significant development, the Seoul High Court has acquitted First Lady Kim Keon-hee of charges concerning the alleged exchange of free opinion poll data for political favors, specifically regarding the nomination of former lawmaker Kim Young-sun. This ruling aligns with the initial judgment, finding no grounds to convict the First Lady on these counts.

It appears that Myung Tae-gyun distributed the results of opinion polls conducted for the business activities of his research institute or based on his political inclinations to various people, including the defendant couple.

— JudgeExplaining the court's reasoning for not considering the opinion poll data as a bribe.

The court reasoned that the opinion poll data provided by Myung Tae-gyun, a political broker, could not be considered a bribe. It was viewed as part of Myung's business activities or personal political leanings, rather than a transaction for political influence. The court emphasized that the Yoon couple did not acquire any property benefits in exchange for the poll data.

It is difficult to see this as the defendant couple acquiring property benefits equivalent to the cost of the opinion polls.

— JudgeFurther elaborating on the lack of quid pro quo for the opinion poll data.

Furthermore, the court determined that Kim Keon-hee could not be classified as an individual engaged in political activities, a prerequisite for charges under the Political Funds Act. Her role was seen as that of the President's spouse, not as an independent political actor. This distinction was crucial in dismissing the charges related to her alleged involvement in the nomination process.

It is difficult to see that the defendant couple promised the nomination of Kim Young-sun in return for Myung Tae-gyun conducting opinion polls.

— JudgeAddressing the alleged link between poll data and political nomination.

While this acquittal on the 'Myung Tae-gyun poll data' case offers a reprieve, it stands in contrast to the guilty verdict delivered on other charges, including stock price manipulation and bribery. The legal battles surrounding the First Lady continue to be a focal point of public attention and political discourse in South Korea.

It is difficult to view Kim Keon-hee as a person engaged in political activities subject to punishment under the Political Funds Act.

— JudgeJustifying the acquittal based on Kim's status as the President's spouse.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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