'Violation of Political Funds Act' Kim Seung-hee, Former Minister of Health and Welfare Nominee, Admits Charges

Suspected of Embezzling Insurance Fees and Deposits for Legislative Activity Vehicles

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Former Minister of Health and Welfare nominee Kim Seung-hee, who resigned amid allegations of violating the Political Funds Act, admitted all charges at her first trial.

On the morning of the 18th, Judge Yoon Ji-sook of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 5 held the first hearing for Kim, the former nominee, and accounting officer A, who were indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.

Kim, who appeared in court in person, responded "I admit all" when asked whether she acknowledged the facts of the indictment. A also admitted to the charges.

Kim is accused of using political funds for the deposit on a rental car for official use and for her spouse’s vehicle insurance premiums during her time as a member of the 20th National Assembly.

According to the prosecution, in February 2017, when Kim acquired a Genesis G80 vehicle used for legislative activities, she paid only the balance after deducting the 18.57 million KRW deposit paid in advance with political funds.

Additionally, she used a Grandeur vehicle owned by her spouse for legislative activities and paid one year’s worth of car insurance premiums with political funds but did not return approximately 160,000 KRW of the remaining insurance premium after renting an official rental car.

In March 2020, she also processed about 3.52 million KRW in political funds by obtaining a false estimate that the Grandeur vehicle was repaired when in fact the G80 vehicle was repaired. There is also an allegation that 360,000 KRW of employee pension insurance premiums for a staff member in her office were paid from political funds.

Previously, Kim stated that the issue was due to a practical error in the accounting process.

However, the National Election Commission referred Kim to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in June for investigation on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, and when the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office began the investigation, Kim voluntarily resigned on July 4, 40 days after being nominated as minister.

The prosecution filed a summary indictment against the two with fines of 3 million KRW and 2 million KRW respectively for violating the Political Funds Act, but the court referred the case to a formal trial.

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