Seoul: A special counsel team on Friday indicted former first lady Kim Keon Hee on charges of corruption and bribery, marking the first instance of a former president's spouse standing trial under custody. Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, faces charges of violating the Capital Market Act, the Political Funds Act, and accepting bribes for mediation, as announced by special counsel Min Joong-ki's team.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim is accused of conspiring with a former head of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea, along with a close associate, to manipulate the company's stock price, resulting in illegal profits of 810 million won (US$582,000) between 2010 and 2012. Additionally, she allegedly received free opinion polls valued at 270 million won with her husband from a self-proclaimed power broker before the 2022 presidential election. This was purportedly in exchange for securing a nomination for former People Power Party Rep. Kim Young-sun in a parliamentary by-election later that year. Furthermore, Kim is suspected of accepting luxury gifts worth 80 million won from the Unification Church through a shaman for business favors in 2022.
The special counsel team has requested the freezing of her assets. Following the indictment, Kim expressed her willingness to engage in the trial process. "I will not avoid the path given to me and quietly engage in my trial," she stated through her lawyers, while also expressing regret over the situation. Despite her cooperation, Kim hinted that the allegations against her may not be entirely accurate.
The indictment was filed shortly before her pretrial arrest was set to expire, extending her custody for up to six more months. Her detention could be further prolonged if the special counsel secures a new arrest warrant based on additional charges. Kim's arrest on Aug. 12 followed a warrant obtained on the same charges outlined in the indictment.
Both Kim and her husband, Yoon, who is also in custody facing insurrection charges, are now set to stand trial, becoming the first former presidential couple to do so under arrest simultaneously. Since her arrest, Kim has been questioned five times by the special counsel, though she has largely exercised her right to remain silent.
The investigation has broadened since its initiation two months ago, including recent raids targeting individuals suspected of providing jewelry to Kim in exchange for business favors or personnel appointments. The special counsel's mandate encompasses 16 criminal allegations against Kim, with ongoing investigations into land and construction project favoritism potentially involving her family. The special counsel team is expected to summon Kim for further questioning to thoroughly investigate these claims.