The wife of South Korea’s ousted former president Yoon Suk-yeol yesterday was questioned by a special prosecutor as investigators expanded a probe into suspicions of stock manipulation, bribery and interference in political party nominations.
The investigation into Kim Keon-hee is one of three separate special prosecutor probes launched by the government targeting the presidency of Yoon, who was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 last year.
The incident came during a seemingly routine standoff with the opposition, who he described as “anti-state” forces abusing their legislative majority to obstruct his agenda.
Photo: AFP
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 apologize for causing concern to the people, even though I am someone insignificant,” Kim told reporters as she arrived for questioning.
She added that she would sincerely cooperate with the investigation, before walking away without responding to specific questions about the allegations.
Through a heavy police presence, dozens of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the special prosecutors’ office in downtown Seoul, waving South Korean and US flags, and banners in light rain.
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.
Investigators said he took off his prison uniform and laid down on the floor of his cell in his underwear before they gave up executing the warrant to detain him.
They plan to negotiate with Yoon’s lawyers to arrange a possible questioning.
Yoon and Kim have faced suspicions of exerting undue influence over the People Power Party to nominate a 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 fortune teller acting as an intermediary for a Unification Church official seeking business favors, 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.
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