South Korea’s Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Indicted for Bribery and Other Charges Amid Widening Probe

The spouse of South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, has been indicted on charges of bribery and other offenses. This announcement was made by a special prosecution team on Friday, amid an expanding investigation into the nation’s martial law crisis and scandals involving the once-powerful couple.

Both Yoon and Kim are currently incarcerated, with Yoon already standing trial for charges including insurrection following his ousting in April due to a failed attempt to institute martial law in December.

The pair now face separate investigations by special prosecutors appointed post-Yoon’s removal from office and since liberal President Lee Jae Myung took office in early June.

In response to the indictment, Kim expressed regret for causing concerns and vowed to make “no excuses” and face trial.

“As brightly as moonlight shines in the darkest night, I too will endure this time, looking to my truth and heart,” Kim stated in a message relayed by her legal team, which did not address specific charges against her.

The allegations against Kim, punishable by years in prison if found guilty, encompass stock fraud, suspected bribery, and implicated business owners, religious figures, and a powerful political broker.

Kim has been at the center of numerous high-profile scandals, some dating back over 15 years, which cast a shadow on Yoon’s tumultuous presidency and caused significant political damage to him and his conservative party.

Kim’s legal team has refuted the accusations against her and contended that news reports about certain gifts she allegedly received were baseless speculation.

Yoon’s unexpected martial law order in December and its political repercussions have marked a steep decline in Kim’s reputation, a wealthy businesswoman who was considered a key factor in Yoon’s ascent to top office.

On Friday, special prosecutors investigating the country’s martial law crisis also indicted former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on charges of abetting insurrection and committing perjury, according to a prosecution spokesperson.

“The defendant was the highest constitutional institution that could have prevented the president’s unconstitutional, illegitimate martial law,” Park Ji-young, the spokesperson, said.

Recently, prosecutors have been questioning Han, but he has not responded to queries from the media.

The seasoned technocrat, who served in senior positions under five presidents, assumed the role of acting president after Yoon was impeached.

Shortly thereafter, Han himself was impeached following accusations of aiding Yoon in the martial law declaration. He denied this but acknowledged some responsibility for the subsequent crisis by failing to dissuade Yoon from making the surprise move.

The Constitutional Court overturned Han’s impeachment, restoring his powers to serve as leader before he resigned from the post to contest the June election, but ended his presidential bid due to rifts among conservatives.