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Kim Keon-hee. Yonhap |
SEOUL, December 14 (AJP) - The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to trigger a full-scale investigation into allegations surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee.
Scandals involving Kim have been a persistent source of political controversy throughout the Yoon administration, drawing sharp criticism from both opposition parties and the public.
The investigation is expected to delve into longstanding allegations, which have often overshadowed the administration’s policy initiatives and fueled partisan disputes. Observers suggest that the outcome of the probe could further shape the political landscape as the country navigates the aftermath of Yoon's impeachment.
The opposition-controlled National Assembly had previously passed three versions of a special prosecutor bill targeting Kim, but each was vetoed by President Yoon. However, a fourth special prosecutor bill was recently approved, and with Yoon’s impeachment, the special prosecutor investigation is now likely to proceed if Acting President Han Duck-soo does not veto it.
The 51-year-old former art director has been a divisive figure in South Korean politics since her first public appearance in 2019.
Kim, who married Yoon in 2012 while he was serving as a senior prosecutor, first entered the public spotlight during her husband’s inauguration as prosecutor general under the Moon Jae-in administration.
Kim is the head of Covana Contents, a cultural arts company. Her significant personal wealth drew public scrutiny after ethics committee records in 2018 revealed that she owned nearly 50 billion won ($38.3 million) in assets, representing the bulk of the couple’s declared fortune.
Public interest in Kim is surging with the release of "First Lady," a documentary film that delves into the controversies surrounding her. The film, which opened Friday, features interviews with prominent figures, including Pastor Choi Jae-young, linked to the Dior handbag controversy, and journalist Lee Myung-soo, who conducted a seven-hour interview with Kim during the 2022 presidential campaign.
Kim’s academic credentials have been a focal point of public scrutiny. Allegations of plagiarism have been leveled against her doctoral dissertation at Kookmin University and her master’s thesis at Sookmyung Women’s University. Additionally, questions have arisen about her purported teaching positions at several universities between 2001 and 2014, where she allegedly submitted falsified credentials.
Another high-profile scandal involves the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, where Kim’s accounts were reportedly used in approximately 47 percent of coordinated trading activities between 2009 and 2012. While she was not directly charged, the case continues to shadow her public image.
Most recently, Kim faced allegations of accepting a $2,200 Christian Dior handbag from pastor Choi who reportedly sought favors, including the burial of a former U.S. congressman at a national cemetery.
Candice Kim 수습기자 candicekim1121@ajupress.com
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