Seoul: The detention period for former first lady Kim Keon Hee has been extended by 10 days to the end of this month, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team announced Wednesday. The extension, decided by a court on Tuesday, prolongs her detention to August 31.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's initial detention was set to conclude on Thursday, 10 days after her arrest warrant was issued. She faces charges related to a stock manipulation scheme, interference in nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and the upcoming 2024 general elections, as well as accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a shaman in return for business favors. Under current legislation, the special counsel is required to indict her within the extended detention period, with no possibility of further extension.
The special counsel team has summoned Kim for questioning twice regarding the corruption allegations and plans a third session on Thursday. Additionally, they have opted to extend the detention of Kim Ye-seong, known as the "butler" of the former first lady's family, until September 1. Ye-seong is accused of embezzling 3.38 billion won (approximately US$2.4 million) from IMS Mobility, a company in which he holds a stake.
The investigation has also focused on allegations that IMS Mobility received improper investments from several companies, such as Kakao Mobility Corp., in 2023. Given that IMS Mobility was effectively in a state of capital impairment at the time, special prosecutors suspect these investments were influenced by the company's connections to Kim and the former first lady.