“Ex-President’s Wife Indicted: Shocking Corruption, Bribery, and Stock Manipulation Scandal Unfolds in South Korea”

South Korea is in the spotlight as former first lady Kim Keon Hee faces serious charges, including bribery and market manipulation. Authorities allege she collected over 1 billion won (around $720,000) through criminal activities linked to a stock manipulation scheme from 2010 to 2012, raking in profits of over 810 million won.

Kim is married to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who himself has found trouble. He was impeached early this year after a failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, and now faces insurrection charges that could lead to severe penalties.

The investigation has uncovered further misconduct. Kim allegedly collaborated with her husband to acquire opinion poll data worth 270 million won for free, and she stands accused of accepting 80 million won in bribes from the Unification Church in exchange for favorable treatment.

In a related case, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has also been indicted, facing numerous charges including perjury and document tampering amid his involvement in Yoon’s martial law initiative.

The unfolding situation has attracted attention from various levels of government. Current President Lee Jae Myung has approved new investigations into Yoon’s actions and their implications. Previously, Yoon had tried to block these inquiries while in office.

The investigations have sparked significant media coverage and even led to raids involving the Unification Church and a joint U.S.-South Korean military base at Osan, raising international eyebrows. U.S. former President Donald Trump commented on the situation, expressing concern while suggesting it looked like a “Purge or Revolution.” He later dialed back his remarks during a meeting with President Lee, calling it a misunderstanding.

These events reflect a larger trend in South Korean politics, where the intertwining of personal and political scandals often leads to significant changes. The implications of these charges could ripple throughout the administration, impacting political stability and public trust.

For ongoing updates, you can follow trusted sources like Yonhap and AP News.

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