Seoul: A special counsel team executed raids at the office and homes of current and former lawmakers on Tuesday, as part of its ongoing investigation into corruption allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, legal sources revealed. The targeted search and seizure operations took place at the office and residence of main opposition People Power Party (PPP) Representative Yoon Sang-hyun in Seoul, as well as the residence of former PPP Representative Kim Young-sun in Changwon.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the investigative team also searched the home of former prosecutor Kim Sang-min. These actions are part of special counsel Min Joong-ki's broader investigation into allegations that the former first lady, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, interfered in the PPP's nomination process for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and the upcoming 2024 general elections.
The investigation has also cast suspicion on the former president concerning the 2022 elections. A disclosed phone call, reportedly recorded in May 2022, features Yoon allegedly suggesting to Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, that he would direct Rep. Yoon to ensure Kim Young-sun secured the party's nomination for a district in the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.
Furthermore, regarding the 2024 general elections, the former first lady is accused of attempting to have the former prosecutor nominated for the district previously represented by Kim Young-sun.