South Korea's ex-first lady accused of taking over $200,000 in bribes / Photo: Chung Sung-Jun - POOL/AFP/File
-
Search Underway for 'Dooars Rani' Tigress After Second Escape from Buxa Tiger Reserve
-
Teatro Mayor Unveils 152-Performance 2027 Season Highlighting Beethoven and García Márquez
-
The Dilemma of Recording Live Music: Preserving Memories vs. Being Present
-
Rutgers Defeats NJIT 101-64 Behind Francis and Mark Scores
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - November 11
-
6 Pieces of Furniture Worth Investing In
-
Fulcrum Metals PLC Announces New Critical Mineral Recoveries Expand Potential
-
Guardian Metal Resources PLC Announces Proposed Spin-Out of Non-Tungsten Projects
-
Fulcrum Metals PLC Announces Publication of Updated Investor Presentation
-
THIEAUDIO Introduces Clairvoyance MKII: The Evolution of a Signature Sound
-
Christmas Day Shifts More than Double as Americans Return to In-Person Holiday Celebrations
-
BlackBerry to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
-
Thukukile Zuma Resigns from ANC Johannesburg Leadership Amid Disciplinary Dispute
-
Russia Orders 100,000 Kometa Modules to Counter Ukrainian Electronic Warfare
-
CM Mohan Yadav Meets Bohra Spiritual Leader to Discuss Simhastha 2028 and Development
-
Mahayuti-backed Rajesh Patil Elected Chairman of Gokul Dairy Amidst Political Deadlock
-
Eli Crane Defeats Jonathan Nez in Tight Arizona Congressional Race
-
David Walliams Identified as Celebrity in Sexual Misconduct Allegations After Legal Bid
South Korea's ex-first lady accused of taking over $200,000 in bribes
South Korea's former first lady was alleged by prosecutors Monday to have accepted lavish bribes totalling over $200,000, including fine art, jewellery and a handbag, as well as meddling in state affairs.
Kim Keon Hee, the wife of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested in August and is under investigation for alleged stock manipulation and receving gifts from the cult-like Unification Church.
She has also been accused of meddling in parliamentary elections.
In an announcement concluding their investigation, prosecutor Min Joong-ki said South Korea's institutions were "severely undermined by abuses of power" by Kim.
Kim allegedly "illegally intervened in state affairs behind the scenes, beyond the public's view," said prosecutor Kim Hyung-geun.
They alleged that bribes from businesses and politicians received by Kim totalled up to 377.25 million won ($263,000).
Investigators alleged Kim had received two Chanel bags and a Graff necklace from the leader of the Unification Church.
She also allegedly received luxury jewellery, a painting by famed South Korean minimalist painter Lee Ufan, a Dior handbag and a wristwatch.
Former president Yoon denied that he was aware of these transactions when pressed by investigators, "a claim that many find difficult to accept", said the prosecutor Kim Hyung-geun.
Prosecutors demanded a 15-year prison term for the former first lady in early December, saying she had "stood above the law" and colluded with the Unification Church to undermine the "constitutionally mandated separation of religion and state".
They also asked the court to fine her two billion won ($1.4 million).
The former first lady has denied all the charges.
In her final testimony, she said the allegations were "deeply unjust".
"Yet when I consider my role and the responsibilities entrusted to me, it seems clear that I have made many mistakes," she said.
Ex-president Yoon declared martial law last December in a short-lived bid to suspend civilian rule that plunged South Korea into political turmoil.
He was removed from office then arrested this year on insurrection charges, which he denies, the first time that a South Korean former president and his wife had both been detained.
A Seoul court is set to sentence Kim on January 28.
X.Karnes--AMWN