South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were indicted Friday in special investigations linked to the downfall of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted earlier this year over his imposition of martial law.
Kim, the jailed president’s wife, was charged with violating financial market and political funding laws and receiving bribes, just two weeks after a court ordered her arrest. Han was charged with abetting Yoon’s martial law decree—considered an act of rebellion—along with falsifying documents and perjury.
The indictments are part of three special prosecutor investigations launched under liberal President Lee Jae Myung into Yoon’s presidency and last December’s martial law crackdown. Several of Yoon’s top officials, including his defense minister, military commanders and police officers, have already been arrested.
Yoon was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his role in the decree. Prosecutors also accuse him and Kim of pressuring the conservative People Power Party to back a favored candidate in a 2022 by-election, allegedly with the help of election broker Myung Tae-kyun, who is accused of manipulating polling data during Yoon’s primary campaign.
Kim apologized earlier this month for causing public concern but denied wrongdoing, saying she was “someone insignificant.”
Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said Han could have blocked Yoon’s attempt but instead played an “active” role by seeking to legitimize the decree through a Cabinet Council meeting. Han insists he opposed the plan.
Han became acting leader after Yoon’s impeachment in December but resigned months later to pursue a presidential bid. He lost the nomination to another candidate from Yoon’s conservative party.
Kim, the jailed president’s wife, was charged with violating financial market and political funding laws and receiving bribes, just two weeks after a court ordered her arrest. Han was charged with abetting Yoon’s martial law decree—considered an act of rebellion—along with falsifying documents and perjury.
The indictments are part of three special prosecutor investigations launched under liberal President Lee Jae Myung into Yoon’s presidency and last December’s martial law crackdown. Several of Yoon’s top officials, including his defense minister, military commanders and police officers, have already been arrested.
Yoon was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his role in the decree. Prosecutors also accuse him and Kim of pressuring the conservative People Power Party to back a favored candidate in a 2022 by-election, allegedly with the help of election broker Myung Tae-kyun, who is accused of manipulating polling data during Yoon’s primary campaign.
Kim apologized earlier this month for causing public concern but denied wrongdoing, saying she was “someone insignificant.”
Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said Han could have blocked Yoon’s attempt but instead played an “active” role by seeking to legitimize the decree through a Cabinet Council meeting. Han insists he opposed the plan.
Han became acting leader after Yoon’s impeachment in December but resigned months later to pursue a presidential bid. He lost the nomination to another candidate from Yoon’s conservative party.
