Indictments Against S. Korea’s Ex-First Lady & Former PM

Seoul, Aug 29 (AP) South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee and former prime minister Han Duck-soo faced indictments on Friday, following special investigations stemming from the ousting of the former president due to the imposition of martial law.

The wife of Yoon Suk Yeol, the ex-president currently imprisoned, was charged with violating financial market and political funding laws in addition to accepting bribes, just weeks after a court ordered her arrest.

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was charged with aiding Yoon in his imposition of martial law, actions that investigators categorize as rebellion. Han was also accused of falsifying documents, destroying official records, and committing perjury.

Liberal President Lee Jae Myung initiated three special prosecutor investigations targeting the presidency of Yoon and the martial law actions carried out last December.

A number of Yoon’s associates, including his defense minister, military commanders, and police officers, have faced arrest for their roles in establishing martial law.

Removed from office in April, Yoon was rearrested the following month concerning his December martial law decree.

Kim and Yoon are alleged to have improperly influenced the People Power Party to nominate a specific candidate in a 2022 legislative by-election at the behest of election broker Myung Tae-kyun.

Myung stands accused of manipulating data to conduct free opinion polls, possibly aiding Yoon in winning the party's presidential primaries before his election.

Kim apologized for raising public concern earlier this month but suggested she would contest the accusations, describing herself as "someone insignificant."

Assistant Special Counsel Park Ji-young, during a televised briefing, declared Han as the most senior official capable of halting Yoon's martial law initiative. Park noted that Han actively attempted to secure Cabinet Council approval for Yoon’s decree, seeking to bestow "procedural legitimacy" upon it.

Han insists he communicated his opposition to Yoon's martial law plan.

Appointed by Yoon, Han served as prime minister, the second-highest position in South Korea. After Yoon's impeachment in mid-December, Han functioned as the acting leader.

The Constitutional Court’s decision to formally dismiss Yoon left Han positioned to lead the caretaker government until the upcoming June presidential election. However, Han resigned to pursue a presidential bid, which did not materialize as the conservative party selected another candidate. (AP)

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