South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, and ex-prime minister Han Duck-soo were indicted Friday in a high-profile investigation linked to the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The charges include abetting the controversial December martial law declaration, bribery, and manipulation of political party nominations, escalating scrutiny of Yoon’s administration.
Han faces rebellion allegations
Han, who served as acting leader after Yoon’s impeachment in mid-December, was charged with abetting the martial law declaration, which prosecutors say amounted to rebellion. He also faces charges of falsifying and destroying official documents and lying under oath.Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said the ex- prime minister was the highest official who could have blocked Yoon’s plan. Park told a televised briefing that Han still played an “active” role in the declaration by trying to have the decree passed through a Cabinet Council meeting to give it “procedural legitimacy.” Han, however, maintains he conveyed to Yoon that he opposed the plan.Han later resigned from his caretaker post to pursue the presidential nomination, but the conservative People Power Party chose another candidate.
Former First Lady accused of political corruption
Kim, the jailed former president’s wife, was charged with violating financial market and political funding laws and receiving bribes, two weeks after a court ordered her arrest. She and Yoon are also suspected of exerting undue influence on the People Power Party to nominate a specific candidate in a 2022 legislative by-election, allegedly at the request of election broker Myung Tae-kyun. Myung faces accusations of conducting free opinion surveys with manipulated data that may have helped Yoon win the party’s presidential primaries.Earlier this month, Kim apologized for causing public concern but suggested she would deny the charges, portraying herself as “someone insignificant.”
Martial law plot
Yoon was removed from office in April and rearrested last month in connection with the martial law decree. His defense minister, military commanders, and police officers have also been arrested for their roles. Three special prosecutor investigations, launched under liberal President Lee Jae Myung, have focused on Yoon’s presidency and the December martial law declaration.