Kim Sangmin, Former Prosecutor Accused of Lobbying for Nomination Through Kim Keonhee, Faces First Trial on 23rd

Appointed as Legal Advisor to the National Intelligence Service After Failing to Secure Nomination in Last Year’s General Election

The trial of Kim Sangmin, former chief prosecutor, who has been indicted and detained on charges of offering an expensive painting to First Lady Kim Keonhee’s side in exchange for a nomination, will begin on the 23rd.

According to the legal community on October 16, the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyeonbok) has scheduled the first preparatory hearing for Kim, who is facing charges including violation of the Political Funds Act, for 10:00 a.m. on the 23rd.

Kim Sangmin, former chief prosecutor. Yonhap News Agency

Previously, the special prosecutor’s team led by Min Junggi indicted Kim on October 2, alleging that he purchased the painting "From Point No. 800298" by artist Lee Ufan for 140 million won and delivered it to Kim Keonhee’s brother, Kim Jinwoo, around February 2023, in return for lobbying for a nomination in the April 10 general election last year.

Although he was eliminated (cut off) during the nomination screening process, he was appointed as a legal advisor to the National Intelligence Service in August last year, just four months later. The special prosecutor’s team believes that First Lady Kim Keonhee also exerted her influence at that time. Kim Sangmin claims that he only brokered the painting at Kim Jinwoo’s request and that there was no quid pro quo involved.