Reading Material: Controversy Surrounding Kim Geum-hee's Necklace and Texts

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Korean Reading Practice

Reading Material: Controversy Surrounding Kim Geum-hee's Necklace and Texts

Date: November 08, 2025

Introduction

This article discusses the ongoing legal case involving Kim Keon-hee, the wife of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. The article focuses on Kim's alleged receipt of an expensive necklace from the Unification Church and the release of text messages between Kim and a man named Lee.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
여사가 Yeosaga Mrs./First Lady Kim Keon-hee, the wife of the South Korean President, is referred to as "the First Lady" in this article.
여사 Yeosa Mrs./First Lady The article uses the term "the First Lady" to refer to Kim Keon-hee.
통일교 Tongilgyo Unification Church The article mentions that Kim Keon-hee is accused of receiving a necklace from the Unification Church.
측으로부터 Cheukeurobeuteo From (a side/party) The article states that the necklace Kim Keon-hee received was from the Unification Church.
오늘 Oneul Today The article mentions that the events described took place today (July 7).
건진법사 Geonjin Beobsa Monk Geonjin The article states that Kim Keon-hee's side requested a DNA test through Monk Geonjin regarding the necklace.
공개되자 Gonggaedeuleja As (they) were released The article mentions that text messages between Kim Keon-hee and a man named Lee were released in court today.
퇴정 Toejong Left the courtroom After the text messages were released, Kim Keon-hee suddenly claimed health issues and left the courtroom.
도이치모터스 Doitchimoteo Deutsche Motors The article mentions that there were also questions about Kim Keon-hee's alleged involvement in manipulating the stock price of Deutsche Motors.
주가조작 Juga Jorak Stock price manipulation Kim Keon-hee is accused of manipulating the stock price of Deutsche Motors.

Reading Text

김건희 여사 측이 통일교 측으로부터 받은 것으로 알려진 고가 목걸이의 실사용자를 가려달라며 법원에 DNA 감정을 요청했습니다. 이에 대해 특검팀은 "김 여사가 목걸이를 사용했단 게 아니라 수수했단 것이 공소 사실"이라며 "감정 필요성에 의문"이라고 강조했습니다.

Kim Keon-hee's side requested a DNA test from the court to identify the actual user of the expensive necklace that is believed to have been received from the Unification Church. In response, the special prosecution team emphasized that "the prosecution's case is that Kim received the necklace, not that she used it," and expressed doubts about the necessity of the test.

오늘 재판에서는 김 여사의 도이치모터스 주가조작 의혹과 관련한 증인 신문이 이어졌습니다. 또 김 여사가 수백 통의 문자를 주고받았다는 남성 이 모 씨와의 메시지 일부가 공개되자, 김 여사는 갑자기 건강 이상을 호소하며 퇴정했습니다.

At today's trial, witness testimony continued regarding the allegations of stock price manipulation by Kim Keon-hee related to Deutsche Motors. Additionally, when a portion of the text messages between Kim and a man named Lee, with whom she allegedly exchanged hundreds of messages, were released, Kim suddenly claimed health issues and left the courtroom.

김 여사 측은 오늘 7차 공판에 앞서 재판부에 의견서를 제출했습니다. 김 여사가 통일교 측으로부터 수수했다는 혐의를 받는 6천만 원대 그라프 목걸이 착용 부위에 대해 전문 기관에 DNA 감정을 의뢰해달라는 내용입니다. 그제 김 여사 측은 건진법사 측으로부터 두 차례 샤넬백을 전달받은 사실을 인정했지만, 해당 목걸이는 받지 않았다며 혐의를 부인하고 있습니다.

Before the 7th trial today, Kim Keon-hee's side submitted an opinion to the court, requesting a DNA test by a professional institution on the area where she allegedly wore the 60 million won Graf necklace received from the Unification Church. Previously, Kim's side acknowledged receiving two Chanel bags from Monk Geonjin, but they deny receiving the necklace.

Grammar Points

-ㄴ/는다고 하다 say that (indirect quote)

Indirect quotation pattern: '-다고 하다' is used to report what someone said. Here '수수했단' is a contracted form of '수수했다고 한', meaning 'they say she received it'.

📖 이에 대해 특검팀은 "김 여사가 목걸이를 사용했단 게 아니라 수수했단 것이 공소 사실"이라며 "감정 필요성에 의문"이라고 강조했습니다. In response, the special investigation team emphasized, 'The charge is not that Mrs. Kim used the necklace, but that she received it,' and expressed 'doubt about the need for an appraisal.'

✏️ 친구가 내일 파티에 온다고 했어요. My friend said they would come to the party tomorrow.

-에 대해(서) about / regarding

'-에 대해(서)' attaches to a noun to mean 'about' or 'regarding' something. It introduces the topic being discussed or responded to.

📖 이에 대해 특검팀은 "김 여사가 목걸이를 사용했단 게 아니라 수수했단 것이 공소 사실"이라며 "감정 필요성에 의문"이라고 강조했습니다. In response to this, the special investigation team emphasized, 'The charge is not that Mrs. Kim used the necklace, but that she received it,' and expressed 'doubt about the need for an appraisal.'

✏️ 그 문제에 대해 선생님께 물어봤어요. I asked the teacher about that problem.

Cultural Notes

The Unification Church, also known as the "Moonies," is a controversial religious movement founded by Sun Myung Moon in South Korea. The church has been accused of unethical practices, including the alleged receipt of large donations from its followers. The allegations against Kim Keon-hee's ties to the Unification Church have become a major political scandal in South Korea.

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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

What is the main legal issue involving Kim Keon-hee that is discussed in the article?

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Q2

What did Kim Keon-hee's side request regarding the expensive necklace allegedly received from the Unification Church?

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Q3

How did the special prosecution team respond to Kim Keon-hee's request for a DNA test on the necklace?

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Q4

What other allegations against Kim Keon-hee were discussed in the trial?

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Q5

How did Kim Keon-hee react when the text messages between her and a man named Lee were released in court?

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