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Kim Keon-hee Appears in Court (Photo: Yonhap News Agency) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Minyoung] Kim Keon-hee was sentenced to four years in prison in an appellate ruling, more than doubling her initial sentence of one year and eight months, in connection with stock manipulation and bribery charges.
On the 28th, the Seoul High Court found Kim guilty of violations of the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act, and aggravated bribery under the Specific Economic Crimes Act. The court also imposed a fine of KRW 50 million, ordered the confiscation of a Graff necklace worth approximately KRW 62.2 million, and mandated an additional KRW 20.94 million forfeiture. The sentence falls short of the 15-year term sought by prosecutors.
The appellate court overturned part of the lower court’s acquittal on the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, ruling that Kim participated by providing a securities account containing KRW 2 billion and executing trades of 180,000 shares in 2010. The court concluded that her actions constituted functional control over the scheme, involving thousands of manipulative orders.
It also revised the statute of limitations interpretation, determining the conduct constituted a single, continuous offense extending to December 2012, thereby remaining prosecutable.
On bribery charges involving the Unification Church, the court found Kim guilty on all counts, including acceptance of luxury items such as a Chanel bag, concluding that she was aware of implicit solicitations.
However, allegations related to illegal polling services were dismissed, consistent with the lower court’s ruling. Kim’s legal team said it will appeal to the Supreme Court.
Separately, Kwon Seong-dong was also sentenced to two years in prison on appeal for receiving illegal political funds from the same organization.
알파경제 Kim Minyoung Reporter(kimmy@alphabiz.co.kr)
