South Korean investigators on Thursday sought an arrest warrant for Kim Keon Hee, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, following a day-long interrogation over allegations of bribery, stock manipulation and abuse of political power.
The move came as Yoon, for the second time in a week, refused to cooperate with authorities seeking to question him over the charges involving his spouse. According to investigators, the former president resisted prison officials’ efforts for more than an hour before they abandoned the attempt out of concern for potential injury. His detention warrant expires later Thursday.
The probe into Kim is one of three high-profile special investigations approved under the administration of newly elected liberal President Lee Jae Myung. These probes target former President Yoon, who was ousted from office in April and re-arrested last month over his controversial imposition of martial law last December.
Investigators questioned Kim for approximately seven hours on Wednesday on a range of charges. These include allegations that she and Yoon influenced the selection of conservative party candidates for a 2022 parliamentary by-election, accepted gifts such as a necklace via a fortuneteller allegedly acting on behalf of a Unification Church official, and were involved in manipulating stock prices.
The warrant request against Kim includes multiple charges, such as violations of political financing and financial market regulations, and accepting bribes, officials said.
While appearing for questioning on Wednesday, Kim made a brief comment to reporters, issuing a vague apology for “causing public concern” but hinted at denying the allegations, describing herself as “someone insignificant.”
Yoon is also facing a high-stakes trial on charges of rebellion and other offences. Last Friday, he similarly resisted questioning, reportedly taking off his prison uniform and lying in his cell in his underwear until investigators left.
Authorities were less specific about his conduct during Thursday’s confrontation but confirmed he “strongly resisted” again. His legal team accused the investigators of violating his rights, stating he had already declared his intention to remain silent and that the attempts to bring him in were aimed at public humiliation.
Yoon’s abrupt imposition of martial law on December 3 during a standoff with liberal lawmakers—whom he accused of undermining the state—sparked widespread political backlash. Critics have suggested his decision may have been driven in part by growing scrutiny over his wife’s alleged misconduct, which hurt his public support and emboldened opposition attacks.
While in office, Yoon repeatedly dismissed calls for an investigation into his wife, labelling them politically motivated.
After taking office in June through an early presidential election, President Lee Jae Myung approved wide-ranging special investigations into the former president’s actions, including the martial law episode, the allegations against Kim Keon Hee, and the 2023 drowning death of a marine during a flood rescue operation — an incident the liberals claim Yoon’s administration sought to cover up.
Source: Agency