Seoul: Former first lady Kim Keon Hee and a shaman associated with her were questioned by a special counsel team regarding corruption allegations. Kim, who is the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was transported to special counsel Min Joong-ki's office from a detention center where she has been held since August 13.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim faces allegations related to stock manipulation schemes, interference in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and 2024 general elections, and accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a shaman in return for business favors. The shaman, Jeon Seong-bae, was also arrested last week and brought in for questioning on the same day.

This was the first questioning session for Jeon since his arrest and the fourth for Kim since hers. Reports indicate that Kim has largely exercised her right to remain silent in previous sessions. The special counsel team has extended her detention until August 31, with plans to file charges before the deadline.

Jeon is accused of accepting luxury items such as a diamond necklace and Chanel bags from the Unification Church in 2022 and allegedly passing them on to Kim, along with requests for support in the church's development projects in Cambodia, the acquisition of broadcaster YTN, and the establishment of a United Nations office in South Korea. Jeon has admitted to receiving the gifts and requests but denies delivering them to Kim.