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Key Points

South Korea's special counsel has summoned former first lady Kim Keon Hee for questioning on Thursday after she postponed for health reasons. This marks her fifth interrogation session since her detention on August 13 over multiple corruption allegations. The special counsel team aims to indict her before her court-approved detention period expires this Sunday. Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong has also been summoned as a suspect in the widening investigation.

Key Points: Kim Keon Hee Summoned for Fifth Questioning Over Corruption Allegations

  • Kim Keon Hee faces fifth questioning over corruption allegations Thursday
  • Special counsel aims to indict her before detention expires Sunday
  • Allegations include stock manipulation and election meddling
  • Third postponement due to health reasons including dizziness and low blood pressure
3 min read

South Korea: Special counsel summons ex-first lady to appear for questioning Thursday

South Korea's special counsel summons former first lady Kim Keon Hee for questioning on Thursday over stock manipulation and bribery allegations as detention period nears end.

"I'm innocent of all charges raised by the special counsel side. That's why I'm confident - Rep. Kweon Seong-dong"

Seoul, Aug 26

A special counsel team in South Korea summoned Kim Keon Hee to appear for questioning on Thursday, a day later than planned, after the jailed former first lady requested a change over health reasons.

In a notice to the press on Tuesday, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team said it summoned Kim to appear at 10 a.m. on Thursday, upon receiving a letter of nonattendance regarding Wednesday's planned questioning.

Kim's lawyers had proposed Thursday, saying the former first lady has complained of dizziness due to low blood pressure.

It will be the fifth time she has been questioned over a string of corruption and bribery allegations following her detention on August 13.

She faces allegations of being involved in stock manipulation schemes, meddling in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and 2024 general elections, and receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a shaman in exchange for business favours.

Min's team has said it aims to indict Kim as early as Friday before her court-approved detention period expires Sunday.

This is the third time the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol has postponed questioning, each time over health issues, Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim, who has been detained over a string of corruption and bribery allegations, has been summoned to appear for a fifth round of questioning on Wednesday.

The sources said she plans to submit a letter to the special counsel team later in the day explaining her absence due to health problems, though she is open to being questioned on Thursday.

Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has postponed questioning twice since her detention on August 13, both times citing her health. This would be the third time.

In her previous session on Monday, Kim was questioned mainly on charges of interfering in candidate nominations and about her alleged involvement in the stock manipulation case.

Meanwhile, Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team investigating suspicions surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee said it has summoned Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) as a suspect for questioning this week about bribery allegations.

Responding to the team's announcement, Kweon said on Facebook that he will appear at the special counsel's office at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

"I'm innocent of all charges raised by the special counsel side. That's why I'm confident," he said, accusing the special counsel team of colluding with some media outlets and continuing political manoeuvring.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Third time postponing questioning due to "health issues"? Sounds familiar... reminds me of some of our politicians who suddenly develop health problems when facing investigations. Convenient timing! 🤔
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Aman W
Stock manipulation, bribery, luxury gifts... the list goes on. This shows how corruption can happen at the highest levels in any country. We should learn from this and strengthen our systems in India.
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Sarah B
While due process should be followed, it's concerning how often health issues are cited. The justice system needs to ensure this isn't being used to delay proceedings. Hope they get to the truth soon.
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Vikram M
Interesting to see how other Asian countries handle political corruption cases. South Korea seems to be taking this seriously despite her being former first lady. No one should be above the law.
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Nikhil C
The involvement with Unification Church and shaman is particularly concerning. Religious figures should not be used for political or financial gains. This happens in India too sometimes unfortunately.

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