Seoul: Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is set to appear before a special counsel on Wednesday for questioning regarding her alleged involvement in stock manipulation schemes, election meddling, and other charges. This appearance marks the first time a first lady has been publicly identified as a suspect in a criminal investigation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been summoned to appear at special counsel Min Joong-ki's office at 10 a.m. The investigation focuses on allegations that Kim participated in a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea, between 2009 and 2012. Additional accusations include meddling in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-election and 2024 general elections, as well as receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a shaman in return for business favors.
The special counsel team is investigating a total of 16 criminal allegations against Kim, indicating the possibility of further questioning. Kim's legal defense team has stated to Yonhap News Agency, "She will go in there and testify to the way things are."
Historical context shows that in 2004, former President Chun Doo-hwan's wife, Lee Soon-ja, was questioned by prosecutors in a slush fund case, though the event only became public knowledge afterward. Similarly, in 2009, former President Roh Moo-hyun's wife, Kwon Yang-sook, was questioned by prosecutors as a witness in a corruption case, with details emerging the following day.