South Korea's ex-first lady faces bribe

24/9/2025 17:49

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea's ousted former president Yoon Suk Yeol, appeared in court at the start of her corruption trial, part of a criminal probe that has ensnared high-profile political and religious figures.



Kim, who faces charges including bribery and stock manipulation, arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul wearing a black suit, making her first public appearance since her arrest in August.



In brief remarks to the court she confirmed her personal information and asked for a trial by judge, rather than a jury, but did not address any of the charges.

A prosecutor outlined charges against Kim, including allegations of stock manipulation, violating political fundraising laws by asking a power broker to carry out free opinion polling, and accepting bribes from South Korea's Unification Church.



Kim's lawyers denied all the charges and said the prosecutors had not shared details of the evidence they had obtained.



If convicted on any of the charges, Kim faces penalties ranging from fines to up to five years in prison.