Seoul: A special counsel team on Monday summoned former first lady Kim Keon Hee for questioning this week over allegations of receiving a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan in exchange for supporting a former prosecutor's parliamentary bid. The questioning is scheduled for Thursday and marks Kim's first appearance before the team since being indicted with physical detention on corruption charges on August 29.
According to Yonhap News Agency, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team informed Kim that she should appear for questioning regarding the allegations related to Kim Sang-min, the former prosecutor. It is alleged that he delivered the 140 million-won (US$100,500) painting to Kim's brother as a gift in return for her support of his bid for a parliamentary seat nomination by the People Power Party. The seat in question is for representing Changwon's Uichang district in the April 2024 general elections.
Kim has been in custody since a court issued a warrant for her arrest on August 12. The former prosecutor's side argues that the painting was never delivered to the former first lady. However, a Seoul court issued a warrant for his arrest last Thursday, citing the risk of destruction of evidence.