Former prosecutor Kim Sang-min, who is accused of bribing the former first lady while seeking a parliamentary nomination, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday

The special counsel has accused Kim of handing over a Lee Ufan painting worth over 100 million won, or approximately 72-thousand U.S. dollars, to former first lady Kim Keon Hee via her brother, Kim Jin-woo, in February 2023.

He is also accused of having a business associate cover campaign vehicle costs while preparing to run in the 2024 general election.

Kim Sang-min has denied both charges, claiming he had purchased the painting on behalf of Kim Jin-woo and did not solicit a nomination.

The special counsel also suspects that the former first lady played a role in Kim Sang-min’s later appointment as a legal adviser to the National Intelligence Service after he failed to secure the nomination.