Seoul, Aug 13 (AP) The wife of South Korea's imprisoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been apprehended as investigators move to charge her with a myriad of alleged offenses, including bribery, stock manipulation, and interference in a candidate selection process. In a decision made late Tuesday, the Seoul Central District Court approved a special prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant, citing Kim Keon Hee's potential to destroy evidence.
The probe into Kim is among three special prosecutor investigations initiated by Seoul's new liberal government, targeting Yoon's conservative presidency, which saw him ousted in April and re-arrested recently over his brief martial law declaration in December.
While Yoon's self-inflicted fall from power extended the historical pattern of South Korean presidencies ending in scandal, he and Kim have made history as the first former presidential couple to face simultaneous imprisonment on criminal charges.
Yoon's abrupt and poorly executed power grab on December 3 occurred during what seemed to be a routine standoff with liberals, whom he labeled as “anti-state” actors using their legislative dominance to block his policies. Some political foes have speculated that Yoon's actions were partly driven by escalating allegations against his wife, which negatively impacted his approval ratings and provided fodder for his adversaries.
Kim remained silent as she arrived at the Seoul court on Tuesday for a lengthy hearing regarding the warrant request. She is currently detained at a center in southern Seoul, separate from where Yoon is held. Further questioning by investigators is slated for Thursday, with potential to extend her detention for up to 20 days before formal charges are filed.
The investigation, led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki, who was appointed in June by the newly elected liberal President Lee Jae Myung, initially involved about seven hours of interrogation last week before seeking her arrest.
Kim briefly addressed reporters during last week's questioning, issuing a generalized apology for causing public concern, yet also insinuating her innocence, portraying herself as “someone insignificant.” Investigators allege that Kim and Yoon unduly influenced the conservative People Power Party to nominate a particular candidate during a 2022 legislative by-election, allegedly at the behest of election broker Myung Tae-kyun. Myung stands accused of conducting biased opinion surveys for Yoon with falsified data that might have assisted him in winning the party's presidential primaries prior to his election.
Kim faces several separate corruption allegations, including claims of receiving luxury gifts through a fortuneteller acting as a middleman for a Unification Church official seeking business favors, and potential involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme associated with a local BMW dealership.
Min's team detained one of Kim’s close associates earlier Tuesday upon his arrival from Vietnam, investigating allegations he leveraged his connection to the former first lady to secure significant business investments for his financially struggling company.
Investigators also searched a construction firm on Monday, probing claims that its chairman purchased a luxury necklace valued at USD 43,000, which is believed to be the same one Kim wore during a 2022 European trip with Yoon. Relations between the necklace and the chairman’s son-in-law’s appointment as chief of staff for then-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Yoon’s second-in-command, shortly before the presidential journey are being examined. Kim has reportedly denied these allegations, asserting that the necklace worn in Europe was not real but a borrowed replica.
During his presidency, Yoon dismissed calls for an investigation into his wife as political attacks and vetoed various liberal-led legislative efforts seeking independent inquiries.
Following his early June presidential election victory, President Lee Jae Myung sanctioned legislation to initiate comprehensive special investigations into Yoon’s martial law episode, the allegations against his wife, and the 2023 drowning of a marine during a flood rescue operation, which liberals contend Yoon’s administration attempted to cover up.
Yoon's martial law declaration was short-lived, as legislators were able to overturn it after breaking through a blockade of armed soldiers. He was impeached by lawmakers on Dec. 14 and officially removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April.
Yoon, who was re-incarcerated last month following a March release, is facing a critical trial on rebellion and other charges, and has consistently resisted investigators’ attempts to question him about his wife. (AP) SKS GRS GRS
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