Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, faced separate trials at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday, marking the second time they have appeared at the same court over corruption and other allegations.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon is accused of receiving free opinion polls from Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, before the 2022 presidential election. The charges suggest that Yoon colluded with his wife to accept the polls in return for supporting former Rep. Kim Young-sun's nomination as a People Power Party candidate in the parliamentary by-elections later that year. In a previous trial, the court acquitted Kim of the same charge, ruling that the polls could not be recognized as economically benefiting the couple.

Simultaneously, Kim appeared at the court for her trial on charges of accepting gifts allegedly in exchange for her influence in public office appointments. She is accused of receiving jewelry worth over 100 million won (US$67,000), including a Van Cleef and Arpels necklace, from a construction company chairman in return for his son-in-law's appointment in public office. Her legal team admitted that she accepted gifts but denied any exchange for favors, arguing that special prosecutors reconstructed the case without presenting direct evidence.

Correctional officials are managing the couple's court appearances to prevent them from crossing paths, as they did not meet during their previous court date in November for separate trials. Currently, Yoon and his wife are held at different detention centers while they face multiple criminal charges, including those related to the former president's attempt to impose martial law in late 2024.