Key facts
- Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon was acquitted of anti-graft charges.
- His wife was convicted and fined 5 million won ($3,750).
- The charges involved a luxury bag gifted to former first lady Kim Keon Hee in March 2023.
A Seoul district court on Friday acquitted Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) of charges related to a luxury gift given to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. The court found Kim not guilty of violating the anti-graft law over a Roger Vivier clutch bag his wife presented to the then first lady in March 2023. The special counsel's team had requested a one-year prison sentence for the lawmaker, alleging the gift was made in exchange for support in his bid for PPP leadership earlier that month. However, the court convicted Kim's wife of the charges, imposing a fine of 5 million won (US$3,750).