Former Prosecutor Acquitted in Lee Ufan Painting Bribery Case, Convicted on Separate Charges
On February 9, a court in Seoul cleared former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min of bribery accusations tied to a Lee Ufan artwork reportedly given to Kim Keon-hee, the spouse of ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol. Prosecutors had requested a six-year prison term, asserting that Kim purchased the artwork for KRW 140 million (USD 96,000) in 2023 in exchange for political favors. The artwork was discovered during a special counsel probe at Kim Jin-woo's home. The court found the testimony from art broker Mr. Kang to be unreliable and considered the evidence to be circumstantial. While Kim Sang-min was sentenced to six months in prison and received a one-year suspension for unlawfully accepting political funds, his defense labeled the bribery ruling as a form of vindication, and Kim intends to appeal the political funding conviction.
Key facts
- Former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min was acquitted of bribery charges related to a Lee Ufan painting on February 9 by a Seoul court.
- Prosecutors alleged Kim purchased Lee Ufan's From Point No. 800298 (1980) in 2023 for approximately KRW 140 million (USD 96,000) and gifted it to Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol.
- The painting was discovered at the residence of the mother-in-law of Kim Jin-woo, the former first lady's brother.
- The court found testimony from art broker Mr. Kang unreliable due to inconsistencies about the transaction's timing and payment method.
- Kim Sang-min's bank records showed a deficit of KRW 290 million (USD 2 million) at the time of the alleged purchase.
- Kim Sang-min was convicted on separate counts of illegally receiving political funds, receiving a six-month prison sentence, one-year suspension, and forfeiture of KRW 41 million (USD 28,000).
- Kim's defense team criticized the prosecution's failure to prove the painting's origin and delivery, describing the bribery acquittal as vindication.
- Kim plans to appeal the political funding conviction, arguing the money was a loan he intended to repay.
Entities
Artists
- Lee Ufan
Institutions
- Seoul court
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea