Kim Hye-kyung was sentenced to the first trial today.Prosecutors demand 3 million won

[Anchor]
The first trial sentence of Kim Hye-kyung, the spouse of Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was put on trial on charges of misappropriating the Gyeonggi-do corporate card, will be announced today.

The prosecution demanded a fine, saying Kim conspired to commit the crime with his secretary, but Kim denies it, saying he never did.

There is a reporter on the scene. Reporter Shin Gwihye!

[Reporter]
Yes, it's in the Suwon District Court.

[Anchor]
The sentencing hearing will be held at 2 p.m. today?

[Journalist]
Yes, that's right.

The Suwon District Court will proceed with the first trial of Kim Hye-kyung, who was handed over to trial at 2 p.m. today on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Kim is accused of providing meals worth 104,000 won to six people, including spouses of former and current Democratic Party lawmakers, in August 2021.

The meeting was held after her husband, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, announced his candidacy for the presidential election, and Bae, his secretary, paid for the meal with the Gyeonggi Provincial Government's corporate card.

In a final hearing held last month, the prosecution asked the court to sentence Kim to a fine of 3 million won, saying he was trying to buy the spouses of influential politicians.

[Anchor]
What is the issue of this trial?

[Reporter]
It seems that the guilt or innocence will depend on how the court judges whether Kim knew about the corporate card payment.

The prosecution believes that Mr. Bae, the secretary for performance, could not have paid for the meal with a corporate card on his own, that is, Kim must have been involved in the process.

The prosecution asked for Kim's charges during the last final trial and pointed out that it was a crime committed with a public official who should maintain political neutrality.

However, Kim's side continues to deny the charges, claiming that they are "absurd prosecution" without evidence.

Even if we look at the statements of those involved, there is no basis for considering that Kim and his secretary conspired to commit the crime.

Kim also spoke directly to the court, saying he had never instructed his secretary to pay with a corporate credit card.

Secretary Bae, who appeared as a witness during the trial, also testified that he was the only one who conducted it.

Bae, who was previously handed over to trial on the same charges as Kim, was found guilty of the charges, and the suspended prison sentence was confirmed.

Attention is focusing on what judgment the court will make on whether they are accomplices or not.

So far, I'm YTN Shin Gwihye from Suwon District Court.

Reporter for shooting
: Kim Ja-young