Seoul: Former first lady Kim Keon Hee expressed her apologies on Wednesday for causing public concern as she attended a special counsel's questioning regarding her alleged involvement in stock manipulation schemes, election meddling, and other charges. Kim, the spouse of imprisoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol, made history as the first spouse of a former or sitting president to publicly appear as a suspect in a criminal investigation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim arrived at special counsel Min Joong-ki's office ten minutes later than scheduled. Before entering the building, she addressed reporters, stating, "I am truly sorry that a nobody like me has caused concern to the people. I will come out after faithfully undergoing the investigation." Kim is facing allegations related to a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, meddling in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and 2024 general elections, and receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church in exchange for business favors.
The special counsel team is investigating a total of 16 criminal allegations against Kim, suggesting she may be summoned for additional questioning. Allegations include her omission of a high-end necklace from required asset disclosures during a 2022 visit to Spain with Yoon and false statements made by Yoon regarding her involvement in the stock manipulation scheme during the 2021 presidential primaries.
Further suspicions under investigation involve a sharp increase in the share price of a construction company following the couple's surprise visit to Ukraine in 2023, a change in the endpoint of an expressway project benefiting Kim's family land in Yangpyeong, and preferential treatment for her family in an apartment construction project.
Kim's interrogation lasted 1 1/2 hours before breaking for lunch and continued in the afternoon without video recording, as her side objected. Assistant special counsel Moon Hong-ju stated during a press briefing that Kim was testifying without invoking her right to remain silent. The questioning was just over halfway complete, with no definite end in sight. If the session extends past 9 p.m., the team must seek Kim's consent to continue.
Outside the office, opposing protesters gathered in the rain to express their views on the former presidential couple. Historically, two other former first ladies have faced investigations. In 2004, Lee Soon-ja, wife of former President Chun Doo-hwan, was questioned in a slush fund case, and in 2009, Kwon Yang-sook, wife of former President Roh Moo-hyun, was questioned as a witness in a corruption case.