The wife of ousted former president Yoon Suk-yeol appeared for questioning by a special prosecutor, as investigators expanded a probe into suspicions of stock manipulation, bribery, and interference in party nominations.
The investigation into Kim Keon-hee (pic) is one of three separate special prosecutor probes launched under Seoul’s new liberal government targeting the presidency of Yoon, who was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his brief imposition of martial law in December.
The conservative’s abrupt and poorly planned power grab on Dec 3 came during a seemingly routine standoff with the liberals, whom he described as “anti-state” forces abusing their legislative majority to obstruct his agenda.
Some political opponents have questioned whether Yoon’s actions were at least partly motivated by growing allegations against his wife, which hurt his approval ratings and gave political ammunition to his rivals.
“I apologise for causing concern to the people, even though I am someone insignificant,” Kim told reporters as she arrived for questioning.
Yoon, who was sent back to prison last month and faces a trial on rebellion and other charges, resisted an attempt by investigators last week to compel him for questioning over his wife.
Yoon and Kim have faced suspicions of exerting undue influence over the conservative People Power Party to nominate a specific candidate for a 2022 parliamentary by-election, allegedly at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president.
Kim is separately linked to multiple corruption allegations, including claims that she received a necklace and other gifts through a fortuneteller acting as an intermediary for a Unification Church official seeking business favours, as well as possible involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme.
While in office, Yoon repeatedly dismissed calls to investigate his wife, denouncing them as baseless political attacks. — AP
