Seoul: Former first lady Kim Keon Hee appeared before a special counsel team on Thursday for questioning regarding allegations that she received an expensive painting in exchange for assistance with a former prosecutor's parliamentary campaign. This marks her first appearance for questioning since her indictment on charges of bribery and corruption in late August.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim has been in custody since August 12. She arrived at special counsel Min Joong-ki's office in a prison van. The special counsel team has intensified its investigation into Kim, who is the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol. The focus of Thursday's questioning is the alleged receipt of a 140 million-won (US$101,000) painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan. The painting was allegedly given by former prosecutor Kim Sang-min in exchange for support in his bid for the People Power Party's nomination for a parliamentary seat in the upcoming April 2024 general elections.
The former prosecutor, Kim Sang-min, was arrested last week on charges of delivering the painting and a request for the nomination to Kim Keon Hee's elder brother. Despite these efforts, he did not secure the nomination and was subsequently appointed as a legal adviser for the National Intelligence Service. The special counsel team suspects that the former first lady may have been involved in this appointment.
In addition to these events, the special counsel team also questioned a school violence committee official on Thursday. This individual was involved in reviewing a bullying case related to a former presidential secretary's daughter in 2023. The former first lady is suspected of intervening in the case by contacting the then vice education minister to help cover it up.