Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea’s ousted former President Yun Suk Yeol, has been charged with bribery among other crimes, a special prosecutor’s team said on Friday. This is the first time in the country’s history that a first lady has been indicted.
The charges are part of a wider probe into Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration last December, which threw the nation into a political crisis. Prosecutors, under new liberal government headed by President Lee Jae Myung, have launched three special investigations targeting Yoon’s circle.
Both Yoon and Kim are currently in jail with the former president already undergoing trial for charges including insurrection.
The former defense minister, safety minister and several other senior military commanders and police officers have also been arrested for their involvement in the botched grab for power.
The prosecution has alleged Kim violated the Political Funds Act, the Capital Markets Act and accepted bribes for mediation, the Korean Herald reported.
Prosecutors claimed the former first lady received polling data for Yoon 58 times at no cost during the 2022 presidential elections. She is also said to have used her influence to help a party member secure a party ticket. Apart from this, she faces allegations of stock manipulation and receiving bribes, such as a diamond necklace and Chanel bags, the newspaper reported.
Kim’s lawyers have denied the charges, calling reports of bribery baseless speculation. Kim could be jailed for years if the charges levied against her are proven true in court.
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Author: Marty Kaufmann
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