Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared before a special counsel team on Saturday, December 20, to face questioning as a suspect in corruption allegations linked to his wife, Kim Keon Hee. This marks his first appearance before the team led by Min Joong-ki, which was launched in July to probe the ex-first lady's alleged misconduct. The investigation is set to conclude on December 28.
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared before the special counsel team in Seoul on Saturday, December 20, 2025, for questioning as a suspect in corruption allegations tied to his wife, Kim Keon Hee. This was his first time facing the team led by Min Joong-ki, which began operations in July to investigate the former first lady's alleged corruption and other misconduct.
Yoon is accused of complicity in his wife's receipt of free opinion polls valued at 270 million won ($183,000) from a self-proclaimed power broker, as well as her acceptance of a painting worth 140 million won from a former prosecutor. He also faces suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act by making a false statement about his wife during a 2021 presidential debate.
The team is additionally probing Yoon's potential involvement in Kim's alleged acceptance of luxury gifts from individuals, including Lee Bae-yong, former head of the National Education Commission, in exchange for favors. Yoon's lawyer told reporters that the former president was "completely unaware" of these luxury gifts.
This appearance is likely to be Yoon's last before the team, as the special counsel's investigation is scheduled to wrap up on December 28. Yoon, who is currently jailed on separate charges of abuse of power and others, has been under scrutiny amid South Korea's ongoing political turmoil. The probe's findings could lead to further legal consequences for the ex-leader.
