In the final act of its 180-day investigation launched in July 2025—including former President Yoon Suk Yeol's questioning on December 20—the special counsel team on December 29 announced results accusing ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee of corruption, stock manipulation, bribery, and illegal intervention in state affairs. The probe led to 20 detentions and 66 indictments, including Kim; Yoon was referred to police without indictment.
The special counsel team, led by Min Joong-ki, held a press briefing in Seoul on December 29, 2025, to reveal the outcomes of its probe into former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Following Yoon's appearance as a suspect on December 20 amid South Korea's political turmoil, the investigation confirmed Kim's involvement in multiple schemes.
Key charges include: conspiring in a 2010-2012 stock manipulation at Deutsch Motors (BMW dealer), gaining 810 million won ($561,000) illegally; receiving 270 million won in free opinion polls from broker Myung Tae-kyun for 2022 election support and People Power Party (PPP) nomination favors; accepting 80 million won in luxury gifts from the Unification Church via a shaman in 2022; and additional bribes totaling 370 million won ($258,000), such as a 140 million won painting from a prosecutor seeking PPP nomination and over 100 million won in jewelry (e.g., Van Cleef & Arpels necklace) from a construction firm for job favors.
Assistant special counsel Kim Hyong-kun described Kim's actions as 'modern-day sale of public offices' and illegal intervention 'behind the curtains.' Oh Jeong-hee highlighted Kim's 'leading role' in a 'political union' with Yoon, including recruiting ~2,000 Unification Church members to the PPP in 2023.
Though evidence fell short for indicting Yoon, investigators found his ignorance claims implausible and referred him to police. Kim, the first presidential spouse publicly named a suspect (August 6) and arrested shortly after, was indicted August 29 on Capital Markets Act, Political Funds Act, and bribery violations. She denies all charges.
Special counsel Min Joong-ki noted the probe exposed damage to public systems from spousal abuse of power, pledging no prosecution lapses. The investigation drew controversy over Min's past stock trading and alleged PPP bias.
