Kim Bong-hyun Changes Statement in Court... "Unaware of Actual Money Transfer"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility, who raised allegations of lobbying involving former Blue House political affairs chief Kang Ki-jeon, testified that "he does not know if the money was actually delivered." This reverses his previous statements once again.

On the 11th, Kim appeared as a witness at the trial of Lee Kang-se, CEO of Star Mobility, held before the Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Sung Bo-gi), stating, "In July 2019, I heard that CEO Lee was going to meet former Chief Kang, so I put 50 million won in cash into a shopping bag and delivered it."

However, Kim clarified, "The money was given in a broad sense to cover expenses necessary for work," and added, "I did not specify to whom or how the money should be delivered." He also emphasized that during the prosecution’s investigation, he never testified that the money was definitely delivered to former Chief Kang.

Previously, in a trial last October, when questioned about lobbying related to former Chief Kang, Kim said, "I did not directly see the money being delivered," but he had testified in a way that implied lobbying had occurred. At that time, Kim stated, "CEO Lee said he was going to meet a Blue House chief and needed expenses, asking for 'five units' [interpreted as 50 million won], so I gave the money," and "Upon receiving the contact and hearing that he was entering the Blue House, I thought, 'It seems the money was delivered.'"

After these court statements were reported, former Chief Kang filed a lawsuit against Kim for perjury and defamation.

Subsequently, Kim changed his stance through a statement by his lawyer, denying that he gave money to politicians in the ruling party. Kim claimed, "After being arrested at the end of April, Lawyer A told me, 'If you cooperate with the prosecution as much as possible and help catch former Chief Kang, you can be released on bail,'" and "Although there was no actual (ruling party lobbying) fact, I gradually changed my memory and testified to the prosecutor."

CEO Lee’s side has applied again for Kim to appear as a witness. The lawyer stated, "Considering the witness’s court testimony and various situations reported in the media, it cannot be said that the investigation of this case was conducted properly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.