Kim Gunhee: "I Was Not Informed in Advance About the Declaration of Martial Law"

Kim Gunhee stated that she had never been told in advance by former President Yoon Suk-yeol about the declaration of the 12·3 Martial Law.

On December 3 last year, at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Kim Gunhee, who is accused of stock manipulation and soliciting the Unification Church, sat in the defendant's seat during the sentencing hearing.

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On April 13, Kim appeared as a witness before the 33rd Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Lee Jinkwan) at the Seoul Central District Court for the continued trial of former Justice Minister Park Sungjae, who is accused of participating in the major task of insurrection, and gave this testimony.

When the court asked, "Did former President Yoon ever mention martial law to you?" Kim replied, "No, he did not." When the court further inquired whether there had been any mention at all before or after the declaration of martial law, Kim stated, "There was absolutely none."

She also answered that she had never been involved in appointments of the Minister of Justice or prosecutors during her time as First Lady. When the court asked, "Did you have any involvement in the appointment of former Minister Park as Minister of Justice?" she answered, "No, I did not." Kim added that she had also never received any report from former Minister Park regarding the prosecution personnel appointments made in May 2024.

The witness examination concluded in about 30 minutes, as Kim refused to testify on most matters related to the alleged suppression of the investigation.

Former Minister Park is accused of participating in former President Yoon's insurrection crimes after the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, including: convening meetings of directors and bureau chiefs at the Ministry of Justice, reviewing the dispatch of prosecutors to the joint investigation headquarters, checking the capacity of correctional facilities, and instructing staff in charge of exit bans to report to duty.

Meanwhile, Kim is scheduled to appear as a witness in former President Yoon's trial for alleged violations of the Political Funds Act, which will be held on April 14.

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