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Seoul Court Approves Live Broadcast of Former First Lady Kim Keon‑Hee Verdict

Updated (5 articles)

Court green‑lights televised ruling amid public‑interest concerns The Seoul Central District Court granted broadcasters permission to air the verdict on Kim Keon‑Hee’s case, scheduling the hearing for 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday [1]. The decision emphasizes transparency given the high‑profile nature of the corruption trial [1].

Prosecutors pursue maximum fifteen‑year imprisonment Special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s team asked the court to impose a fifteen‑year jail term for violations of the Capital Market Act, Political Funds Act, and a bribery‑for‑mediation statute [1]. The request reflects the severity of the alleged financial crimes and political interference [1].

Allegations detail stock manipulation, poll swaps, and shaman‑linked gifts Investigators claim Kim conspired with a former Deutsch Motors head and an associate to rig share prices, earning roughly 810 million won between 2010‑2012 [1]. She is also accused of receiving free opinion‑poll services worth 270 million won in exchange for political favors ahead of the 2022 election [1]. Additionally, prosecutors allege she accepted luxury gifts valued at 80 million won from a Unification Church official through a shaman [1].

Both Kim and former President Yoon remain detained Kim has been in custody since August 12 on the corruption charges, while her husband, ex‑President Yoon Suk‑yeol, stays jailed facing separate insurrection‑related trials stemming from a brief martial‑law declaration in December 2024 [1]. Their continued detention underscores the broader legal scrutiny of the ruling party’s leadership [1].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 2024 – A brief martial‑law declaration by President Yoon Suk‑yeol triggers an insurrection trial, underscoring the political turbulence that later frames the corruption case against his family[1].

Aug 12, 2024 – Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is taken into custody on corruption charges, marking the first time a presidential spouse is detained in South Korea[1].

July 2025 – Special counsel Min Joong‑ki launches a 180‑day investigation into Kim Keon Hee, focusing on alleged stock‑price manipulation, free opinion polls, and luxury gifts from the Unification Church[5].

Aug 6, 2025 – Kim Keon Hee appears for questioning, becoming “the first spouse of a former or sitting president to appear as a suspect in a criminal investigation”[5].

Aug 29, 2025 – Prosecutors indict Kim on violations of the Capital Market Act, Political Funds Act, and a bribery‑for‑mediation statute, accusing her of a scheme that netted 810 million won from Deutsch Motors stock manipulation[5].

Dec 28, 2025 – The special‑counsel’s 180‑day probe concludes, having placed 20 people in custody and indicted 66, including Kim and former President Yoon, highlighting the breadth of the alleged network[5].

Dec 30, 2025 (planned) – The team schedules a press conference to announce the final investigation results, signaling the transition from investigative to prosecutorial phase[5].

Dec 29, 2025 – At a briefing, prosecutors declare that Kim “interfered in state affairs behind the public’s sight” and label the conduct “a modern‑day sale of public offices”[2][3].

Dec 29, 2025 – The indictment details 370 million won in luxury gifts—including a 140 million won painting and a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace worth over 100 million won—received in exchange for government positions and People Power Party nominations[2].

Dec 29, 2025 – Prosecutors transfer the case to police for further investigation, noting “not enough evidence to indict the former president” but expressing doubt about his claim of ignorance of the gifts[2].

Jan 27, 2026 – Seoul Central District Court green‑lights a live broadcast of Kim Keon Hee’s verdict hearing, scheduled for 2:10 p.m. that day, citing public‑interest considerations[1].

Jan 27, 2026 – Special counsel Min Joong‑ki petitions the court for a 15‑year prison sentence, arguing that Kim’s violations of the Capital Market Act, Political Funds Act and bribery statutes merit the maximum penalty[1].

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