Court allows media to film ex-first lady Kim's 1st trial hearing
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is seen outside the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Aug. 12. Yonhap
A Seoul court on Monday allowed media organizations to take photos and videos of former first lady Kim Keon Hee's first trial hearing on corruption charges later this week.
The Seoul Central District Court said it decided to open the courtroom to the press for filming before the start of the hearing scheduled for 2:10 p.m. Wednesday.
The hearing will take place after special counsel Min Joong-ki indicted Kim with physical detention on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act and a law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation on Aug. 29.
The court said press will be allowed to film in designated areas inside the courtroom and they will have to leave when the bench announces an end to the filming.
Meanwhile, Min's team summoned Kim for questioning Thursday over allegations of receiving a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan in exchange for supporting a former prosecutor's parliamentary bid.
If Kim appears for the session, it would mark her first appearance before the team since her indictment. She has been in custody since a court issued a warrant for her arrest on Aug. 12.
Min's team is expected to question the former first lady about allegations that Kim Sang-min, the former prosecutor, delivered the 140 million-won ($100,500) painting to her brother.
The former prosecutor is accused of gifting the painting in return for Kim's support for his bid to win the People Power Party's nomination for a parliamentary seat representing Changwon's Uichang district in the April 2024 general elections.
The former prosecutor's side has argued the painting was never delivered to the former first lady, but a Seoul court issued a warrant for his arrest last Thursday, citing the risk of destruction of evidence.