Former South Korean President Yoon Questioned Over Corruption Allegations Linked to Wife

Seoul, Dec 2025 : Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared before a special counsel team on Saturday for questioning as a suspect in corruption allegations connected to his wife, Kim Keon Hee.

This marked Yoon’s first appearance before the special counsel, led by Min Joong-ki, which has been investigating alleged corruption and related activities involving the ex-first lady since July.

Yoon faces accusations of acting as an accomplice to his wife when she allegedly received opinion polls worth 270 million won ($183,000) for free from a self-described power broker. He is also accused in connection with her alleged acceptance of a painting valued at 140 million won from a former prosecutor.

In addition, Yoon is suspected of violating the Public Official Election Act for allegedly making a false statement about his wife during a 2021 presidential debate. The investigation is also examining whether he had any involvement in Kim’s reported acceptance of luxury gifts from other influential figures, including Lee Bae-yong, the former head of the National Education Commission, in exchange for favors.

When questioned by reporters about his knowledge of Kim’s acceptance of luxury items, Yoon’s lawyer stated that the former president was “completely unaware” of such activities.

Saturday’s appearance is expected to be Yoon’s final session with the special counsel, as the investigation is scheduled to conclude on December 28, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The questioning comes shortly after a South Korean court announced on December 16 that it would deliver its verdict next month on whether Yoon obstructed justice by attempting to block investigators from detaining him during his brief imposition of martial law.

The sentencing hearing is set for January 16 at the Seoul Central District Court. The court cited a law requiring the first ruling to be delivered within six months of an indictment by the special counsel investigating the case.

Yoon has been indicted on multiple charges, including obstruction of justice, violating the rights of nine Cabinet members who were excluded from a meeting reviewing his martial law plan, drafting and destroying a revised martial law proclamation after the decree was lifted, and ordering the deletion of secure phone records.

The legal proceedings have intensified public scrutiny of Yoon, who remains jailed while investigations and trials continue. His appearance before the special counsel reflects the ongoing efforts to determine the extent of his involvement in alleged corruption linked to his wife and other potential abuses of power during his presidency.

As the investigation draws to a close, the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the legal and political future of the former leader in South Korea.