Byeon Admits Jewelry Gifts in Shin-gate Trial

Former chief presidential policy secretary Byeon Yang-kyun admitted he gave jewelry worth tens of millions of won to his mistress Shin Jeong-ah, the disgraced curator at the heart of a fake-degree scandal. The admission came on his fourth trial on charges of influence peddling and bribery in connection with the scandal Monday. But Byeon said Shin had paid part of the costs with gift certificates. According to prosecutors, Byeon gave Shin a diamond ring, a luxury-brand watch, a necklace and a ring worth W47 million (US$1=W934) in total. Byeon said the jewelry was a return present for a painting Shin had given him.

The two were revealed to have frequently discussed what to do after Shin’s forgery of her academic credentials were revealed. Byeon admitted exchanging 63 phone calls and text messages with Shin between July 12 and 16, saying they communicated that way since they rarely met face-to-face. Shin secretly returned from Europe on July 12, shortly after the forgery was exposed and she was stripped of the art directorship at the Gwangju Biennale, Korea’s leading contemporary art event. Four days later she fled to the U.S.

Defending herself on the issue of expensive jewels she received from Byeon, Shin issued an emotional appeal for people not to denounce her “as a prostitute.” She added her relationship with Byeon had been “beautiful.” Byeon said the two went for romantic walks in Mt. Namsan.
Source: chosun