Kim Keon Hee Fined 3 Million Won for Failing to Appear as Witness in "Julie Allegations" Trial
by Byun Seonjin
Published 21 Apr.2026 13:54(KST)
Court: "Absence Not Justified"
To Summon Again on May 20
Kim Keon Hee, who was summoned as a witness in the trial of Ahn Hae Wook, former President of the Korea Elementary School Taekwondo Association, was fined by the court for failing to appear. Ahn was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act after raising the so-called "Julie allegations."
On April 21, the 34th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Han Sungjin) decided to impose a fine of 3 million won, stating, "Kim, who was summoned as a witness, failed to appear without a justifiable reason," during the trial on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act against Ahn.
Previously, Kim's side submitted a document explaining her absence to the court, but the court did not accept the reason. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, a witness who receives a summons and fails to comply without a valid reason can be fined up to 5 million won. The court announced its plan to summon Kim again for witness testimony on May 20.
Ahn is accused of making statements before the 2022 presidential election via YouTube channels and other media, claiming that he saw Kim, under the nickname "Julie," at an entertainment bar in the past. Jeong Cheonsu, former CEO of the YouTube channel "Open Sympathy TV," who reported Ahn's statements in an interview format, is also on trial together. Prosecutors indicted them on the grounds that they spread false information with the intention to prevent former President Yoon Suk Yeol, then a candidate, from being elected.
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