'Kim Gun-hee Julie Allegations' Raised by Former Open Sympathy TV Representative, Denies Charges in First Trial

Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Geon-hee, and Ahn Hae-wook, former president of the Korea Elementary School Taekwondo Association (second from the right), who raised the so-called 'Julie allegation' that she worked at a nightclub in the past, stand in front of cameras before attending the first preliminary hearing of the first trial at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of the 13th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Jeong Cheonsu, former CEO of Yeollin Gonggam TV, who was indicted for spreading false information against Kim Geonhee, the spouse of President Yoon Seok-yeol during the 20th presidential election, denied the charges at his first trial.

On the morning of the 13th, the Criminal Division 34 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kang Gyutae) held the first preparatory hearing for trial of three defendants: former CEO Jeong, former President Ahn Haewook of the Korea Elementary School Taekwondo Federation, and former loan shark Kim (known as Ssen Unni), who were indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act and other charges. Unlike formal trial dates, the preparatory hearing does not require the defendants to attend, but all defendants appeared in court in person that day.

Jeong’s defense attorney stated, "We deny the charges." Jeong himself said, "The first case filed by President Yoon Seok-yeol and his spouse began in September 2020. At that time, he was 'Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol,'" adding, "This was not a conspiracy to fabricate false facts with the purpose of causing his defeat, foreseeing his future presidency. We only reported the facts as they were investigated."

Jeong’s side also repeatedly expressed their desire to have a 'citizen trial.' A citizen trial is a system where randomly selected jurors aged 20 or older participate directly in criminal trials. The jury’s decision has advisory effect on the court.

On the other hand, the prosecution requested the court to exclude the 'citizen trial.' The prosecutor emphasized, "This case is widely known to the public. Prejudgments may have formed based on individual values," adding, "The purpose of a citizen trial is to receive judgment from impartial jurors without prejudice, but this case does not meet that criterion."

The court decided to hold the second preparatory hearing on December 2 and concluded the session that day.

Previously, Jeong and others were indicted last December for spreading the so-called 'Julie suspicion' through the YouTube channel Yeollin Gonggam TV, alleging that Kim Geonhee worked under the stage name 'Julie' at a nightclub in 1997.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee arrived at Madrid Barajas International Airport in Spain on June 27 (local time) to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, disembarking from Air Force One. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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