"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."
"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. Investigators have levied the charges some two months after the special investigation was launched and two weeks after Kim was detained under a special warrant."
Kim Keon Hee has been charged with bribery and other crimes, marking the first indictment of a South Korean first lady. The charges stem from a probe into a martial law declaration last December and are part of three special investigations targeting the former president's circle under the new government. Both Kim and former President Yoon are jailed, and several senior military and police figures have been arrested. Prosecutors allege violations of the Political Funds Act and Capital Markets Act, acceptance of bribes, receipt of polling data 58 times during the 2022 election, influence peddling, and stock manipulation. Kim's lawyers deny the allegations; former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo faces indictment on abetting and perjury.
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