South Korea’s special prosecutor has formally requested a court-issued detention warrant for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, marking a significant escalation in an ongoing corruption investigation.
According to a statement from the prosecution team released Thursday, the request was submitted as part of an inquiry into allegations including stock fraud, bribery, and influence peddling.
Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, appeared for questioning on Wednesday at the special prosecutor’s office. While she publicly apologized for “causing concern,” she declined to respond to reporters’ questions regarding the charges.
This development comes amid separate investigations into both Kim and her husband, who was removed from office in April following a controversial and short-lived declaration of martial law. Two independent special prosecutors were appointed by the National Assembly in response to public outrage and political pressure.
The special prosecutor’s office has not disclosed further details about the warrant request, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Kim’s legal team continues to deny all allegations, maintaining that she has not engaged in any criminal wrongdoing.
If approved, the detention warrant would allow authorities to take Kim into custody as prosecutors prepare potential charges. The case remains one of the most high-profile corruption scandals in South Korea’s recent political history.
Written By Rodney Mbua
