Probe into South Korea’s Kim Keon-hee ends with ‘unresolved issues’

Analysts say the findings have raised questions about whether South Korea’s laws can deal with alleged abuses of power by a president’s spouse

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South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho district on August 12, after attending a court review on her arrest. Photo: Korea Times

Published: 8:00am, 30 Dec 2025Updated: 10:08am, 30 Dec 2025

Long-rumoured allegations surrounding South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon-hee, were laid out in unprecedented detail after a special prosecutor concluded a six-month investigation into her conduct, offering official clarity but leaving key questions unresolved.

The findings, presented to the public on Monday, offered the clearest official account yet of claims that Kim, the wife of ousted former president Yoon Suk-yeol, abused her proximity to power – from accepting luxury gifts to intervening in appointments and political nominations.

Despite the unprecedented scope of the 180-day investigation, analysts say its conclusion has only sharpened questions about accountability, unresolved cases and whether South Korea’s laws are equipped to deal with alleged abuses of power by a president’s spouse.

The team, led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki, investigated 16 charges against Kim, including bribery, stock price manipulation and influence peddling.

“We have confirmed through multiple cases that the abuse of authority by the president’s spouse has seriously undermined the Republic of Korea’s public systems,” the team said in a statement.

Cases left unresolved due to time constraints and manpower shortages would be handed over to police for further investigation, the team said.

South Korean special prosecutor Min Joong-ki reveals the final results of his team’s six-month investigation into corruption allegations surrounding former first lady Kim Keon-hee on Monday. Photo: AFP

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Probe into South Korea’s Kim Keon-hee ends with ‘unresolved issues’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Analysts say the findings have raised questions about whether South Korea’s laws can deal with alleged abuses of power by a president’s spouse

Analysts say the findings have raised questions about whether South Korea’s laws can deal with alleged abuses of power by a president’s spouse