Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea’s ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been indicted on charges of bribery and other financial crimes. The announcement was made by a special prosecution team on Friday, marking another dramatic turn in the country’s ongoing political and legal crisis.
Both Yoon and Kim are currently under arrest and being held in jail. Yoon is already on trial for insurrection after his failed attempt to impose martial law last December, which led to his removal from office in April.
Following her indictment, Kim Keon Hee apologized for causing public concern and pledged to face the trial without excuses. In a statement released through her lawyers, she said, “Just as moonlight shines in the darkest night, I too will endure this time, looking to my truth and heart.” However, she did not directly address the charges.
The case against Kim includes stock fraud and bribery allegations that reportedly involve business leaders, religious figures, and a political broker.
If convicted, the charges could result in several years of prison. Her lawyers maintain she is innocent, dismissing media reports about alleged gifts as unfounded speculation.
Kim Keon Hee has long been a controversial figure in South Korea. Over the years, she has been linked to several scandals, some dating back more than 15 years. Many of these controversies overshadowed Yoon’s presidency and inflicted political damage on his conservative party.
The fallout from Yoon’s martial law order has further fueled scrutiny of the couple. Special prosecutors also indicted former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, accusing him of abetting insurrection and committing perjury. Han briefly became acting president after Yoon’s impeachment but later resigned to pursue an election campaign.
The indictments underscore the scale of South Korea’s political turmoil, with prosecutors continuing to investigate the former president, Kim Keon, and other top officials.
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