Prosecutors seek a fine of 3 million won for Kim Hye-kyung for "violating the Public Official Election Act."

Prosecutors seek a fine of 3 million won for Kim Hye-kyung for "violating the Election Act"
Allegations of payment worth 100,000 won with a corporate credit card in Gyeonggi-do Province before the primary election
The prosecution is "seriously guilty of trying to buy a spouse of a powerful politician"
"A crime with a public official who must observe political neutrality."

[Anchor]
Prosecutors have sought a fine of 3 million won for Kim Hye-kyung, the spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act by using the Gyeonggi Provincial Government's corporate card.

The prosecution criticized Kim for trying to buy the spouses of influential politicians with money, regardless of the amount.

I'll connect with the reporter and find out. Reporter Jeong Hyeonwoo!

Please explain what the prosecution asked for today.

[Reporter]
Yes, Kim Hye-kyung's first trial decision was held at 10 a.m. this morning (24th) at the Suwon District Court, accused of violating the Public Official Election Act.

The prosecution asked the court to fine Kim 3 million won.

Kim is accused of paying 104,000 won for six people's meals, including the spouse of a former and current Democratic Party lawmaker, with a corporate card in Gyeonggi-do in August 2021, when representative Lee was about to run for the presidential election.

The prosecution pointed out that Kim tried to buy the spouses of influential politicians with money and that the crime was serious regardless of the amount.

He also stressed that Bae, his secretary, committed the crime with a public official who must observe political neutrality in connection with the payment of meals with the Gyeonggi Provincial Government's corporate card at the time, betraying public trust in public officials.

Kim's final hearing was held once in July, but the court resumed its argument because it needed an additional witness examination.

At that time, the prosecution demanded a fine of 3 million won for Kim.

In his closing argument right after the prosecution's request, Kim stressed that he was not involved in the crime and had never made a payment to his secretary.

If the justice department thinks carefully, he asked for leniency, saying that he would be more cautious about those who do not receive small things while living as a politician's wife.

The lawyer also protested the prosecution's request, saying there was a basic perception that Kim should not be treated or made to pay for meals on behalf of others.

After Kim's defense, the hearing, which lasted nearly eight months, was over.

The first trial will be sentenced on the 14th of next month.

The very next day, attention is being paid to the results of the first trial of Lee Jae-myung, who is on trial at the Seoul Central District Court for violating the Public Official Election Act.

I'm Jeong Hyeonwoo of YTN from the Ministry of Social Affairs.