Key Points

South Korean special counsel attempted to raid former first lady Kim Keon Hee's home over corruption allegations. The probe includes claims of luxury gifts from a shaman and election interference. Investigators also raided a lawmaker's office tied to a controversial expressway project. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been summoned for questioning in the widening scandal.

Key Points: South Korea Special Counsel Raids Ex-First Lady Kim Keon Hee Home

  • Special counsel seeks evidence in Kim Keon Hee's luxury gifts case
  • Raid linked to alleged election nomination meddling
  • Probe also targets ex-lawmaker over expressway project scandal
  • Former President Yoon Suk Yeol summoned for questioning
2 min read

South Korea: Special counsel attempts to raid ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee's home

Special counsel attempts to raid ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee's residence amid corruption probes into luxury gifts and election meddling allegations.

"The team has been looking into Kim’s alleged acceptance of luxury goods and election interference. – Special Counsel Spokesperson"

Seoul, July 25

A special counsel team was attempting to search the home of former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Friday as part of their investigation into corruption allegations surrounding her.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team was negotiating details of the raid with Presidential Security Service officials after arriving at Kim's residence in southern Seoul with a search-and-seizure warrant.

The special counsel team has been looking into Kim's alleged acceptance of luxury goods from a shaman and her alleged meddling in election nominations among other allegations.

The team also separately raided Rep. Kim Sun-gyo's office at the National Assembly to search for evidence over allegations that the People Power Party lawmaker intervened in an expressway project that stirred controversy in 2023, Yonhap news agency reported.

The then administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim's husband, allegedly changed the endpoint of the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway project to where Kim's family owns land in Yangpyeong, east of Seoul, raising accusations of preferential treatment.

The lawmaker, who previously served as the county's governor, is suspected of making the request for the change. After the scandal broke out, the government announced it would scrap the project.

Earlier on Monday a special counsel has summoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former first lady Kim to appear for questioning over allegations of election interference and other irregularities.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team sent a summons to the Seoul Detention Centre, where Yoon is under arrest, to request his appearance as a suspect at 10 a.m. July 29, assistant special counsel Moon Hong-ju said during a press briefing.

The team also mailed a summons to Kim's residence to request her appearance as a suspect at 10 a.m. on August 6, he said.

Kim is expected to be questioned about her alleged involvement in two different stock price manipulation schemes, her alleged acceptance of luxury goods from a shaman, and her alleged meddling in election nominations, according to a team official.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Luxury gifts from a shaman? Expressway routes changed for personal benefit? Sounds all too familiar... When will our politicians learn that public service means serving the public, not themselves?
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Aditya G
Interesting to see South Korea taking action against corruption at highest levels. Meanwhile in India, ED/CBI raids only happen to opposition leaders. Justice should be blind to political affiliations.
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Sarah B
As an expat in India, I find it refreshing to see Asian democracies holding leaders accountable. The expressway scandal reminds me of some land scams we've seen here. Strong institutions matter!
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Kavya N
First ladies becoming controversial isn't new - remember our own Robert Vadra land deals? But at least South Korea is investigating properly instead of giving clean chits.
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Vikram M
While this is good, I hope the investigation is fair and not politically motivated. We've seen in India how investigative agencies are sometimes misused against opponents. Due process must be followed.

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