Arrest of Yoon's former president wife in South Korea
In a significant turn of events, the former first lady of South Korea, Kim Keon Hee, is currently embroiled in a series of serious allegations, including stock fraud, bribery, and influence peddling.
Stock Fraud Allegations
Kim Keon Hee is accused of participating in a price-rigging scheme involving the stocks of BMW dealer Deutsch Motors. The investigation suggests that she made over 800 million won (£428,000) through this scheme. Evidence uncovered includes suspected financial transactions and dealings related to Deutsch Motors, though specific details are not fully disclosed in the available reports.
Bribery Allegations
Kim is also accused of receiving two Chanel bags valued together at about 20 million won (£10,700) and a diamond necklace from a religious group. These items were allegedly given as bribes in exchange for favorable influence on the group's business interests. The prosecution's investigation has identified the receipt of these luxury items as key evidence. Kim has denied these allegations, stating that the luxury items were genuine but claimed the Van Cleef pendant she wore at a NATO summit was fake. However, the prosecution found that the piece of jewelry was genuine.
Influence Peddling Allegations
Kim and her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, are suspected of exerting undue influence on the conservative People Power Party to nominate a specific candidate in a 2022 legislative by-election. This influence was allegedly at the request of election broker Myung Tae-kyun. The investigation suggests that Kim's influence was used to sway political decisions, although specific interactions or communications supporting this claim have not been detailed in the available reports.
The arrest warrant for Kim Keon Hee was issued due to concerns that she might destroy evidence or interfere with the investigation, underscoring the seriousness of these allegations. The prosecutors filed for her arrest warrant the day after her questioning.
Kim Keon Hee's trial is separate from Yoon's trial, as she is being tried for stock fraud, bribery, and influence peddling, while Yoon is being tried for insurrection. Upon arrival at the prosecutors' office, Kim Keon Hee said, "I sincerely apologize for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance."
It is important to note that these allegations are still under investigation, and all parties involved are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. The special prosecutor is leading the investigation into the allegations against Kim Keon Hee.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency
- Reuters
- The Guardian
- NBC News
- CNN
- The general news outlets Yonhap News Agency, Reuters, The Guardian, NBC News, and CNN are covering the ongoing political scandal involving Kim Keon Hee, the former first lady of South Korea, who is under investigation for stock fraud, bribery, and influence peddling.
- Amidst these allegations, Kim Keon Hee's trial is focusing on policy-and-legislation matters, including her involvement in a price-rigging scheme, bribery, and potential interference in the conservative People Power Party's politics, which falls under the crime-and-justice category.
