South Korea's Former President and Wife Indicted in Corruption and Martial Law Scandal

Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee and ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were both indicted on August 29th in connection with investigations surrounding the downfall of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon, currently incarcerated, faces numerous charges related to corruption and his failed attempt to rule by martial law.

Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki's team announced charges against Kim Keon Hee, alleging violations of financial market and political funding laws, as well as bribery. Her indictment followed a court order for her arrest approximately two weeks prior. Simultaneously, Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-suk's team charged Han Duck-soo with assisting Yoon in imposing martial law, which investigators characterized as a form of rebellion. Han is also accused of falsifying and destroying official records and providing false testimony.

The scandal has implicated numerous political and military figures. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun stands accused of collaborating with Yoon to plan martial law and deploying troops to prevent lawmakers from canceling it. Over sixty others have been indicted for rioting outside a Seoul court earlier this year when judges initially approved Yoon's arrest warrant.

Yoon's downfall commenced on December 3, 2024, when he unexpectedly declared martial law in an effort to advance his agenda against a legislature controlled by the opposition. The measure collapsed rapidly, but it triggered months of political turmoil, economic instability, and disruption of foreign relations. He was impeached by lawmakers, removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April, and subsequently rearrested in July after his conservative party lost the presidency in an early election. The new government has since appointed three special prosecutors to investigate Yoon's martial law order and corruption allegations against him and his wife.

Assistant Special Counsel Park Ji-young stated that Han, as prime minister, possessed the authority to halt Yoon's plan but instead played an "active" role by attempting to push it through a Cabinet Council, which would have legitimized it. Han denies any wrongdoing, claiming he advised Yoon against the move. A Seoul court rejected a request for his arrest, citing a low likelihood of him fleeing or destroying evidence.

Yoon and Kim are the first former presidential couple in South Korea to both face imprisonment simultaneously. Critics suggest that Yoon's impulsive attempt at martial law may have been partially driven by scandals surrounding his wife. Kim apologized for causing public concern but maintained her innocence. Through her legal representatives, she stated she would quietly face trial while accusing the media of treating unproven suspicions as facts.