Seoul: Jailed former first lady Kim Keon Hee plans not to attend the next round of questioning by special counsel Min Joong-ki's team due to health issues, legal sources said Tuesday. Kim, who has been detained over a string of corruption and bribery allegations, has been summoned to appear for a fifth round of questioning on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim plans to submit a letter to the special counsel team later in the day explaining her absence due to health problems, though she is open to being questioned Thursday. Min's team earlier said it aims to indict Kim as early as Friday before her court-approved detention period expires Sunday.
She faces allegations of being involved in stock manipulation schemes, meddling in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and 2024 general elections, and receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a shaman in exchange for business favors. Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has postponed questioning twice since her detention on August 13, both times citing her health. This would be the third time.