(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with particulars; ADDS extra data all through, picture)
SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) — A particular counsel staff mentioned Saturday it has indicted Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the principle opposition Individuals Energy Social gathering (PPP) and his spouse on fees of giving a luxurious reward to former first girl Kim Keon Hee in return for her election assist.
Kim and his spouse, surnamed Lee, had been indicted with out detention for allegedly violating the anti-graft regulation by giving Kim Keon Hee a Roger Vivier clutch bag value 2.67 million received (US$1,760) shortly after Kim was elected PPP chairperson in March 2023.
The anti-graft regulation prohibits offering cash or valuables to the partner of a public official in reference to the official’s duties.
The particular counsel staff mentioned it failed to find out the particular circumstances surrounding the supply of the reward and was unable to ascertain bribery fees towards former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his spouse resulting from time constraints and an absence of cooperation from these concerned.
It has due to this fact determined to refer the case to police for additional investigation into potential bribery allegations involving the previous first couple.
Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the principle opposition Individuals Energy Social gathering prepares to attend a celebration assembly on the Nationwide Meeting in Seoul on Dec. 22, 2025. (Yonhap)
“It is a case of high-level corruption wherein a ruling occasion chief gave a luxurious bag to the president’s spouse in return for profitable the occasion management race, confirming long-standing suspicions in political historical past that presidents intrude of their occasion’s management elections,” the particular counsel mentioned.
“The case constitutes a critical crime that undermines occasion democracy, together with a violation of the president’s responsibility of political neutrality and the breakdown of the separation between the occasion and the federal government,” it added.
The clutch bag was discovered on the former first girl’s dwelling, together with a thank-you word written by Lee, throughout a raid performed by the particular counsel staff final month.
Kim has acknowledged giving the reward however denied the bribery allegations, saying it was merely a matter of social courtesy.
Lee reportedly instructed the particular counsel that her husband was unaware of the reward.
This picture exhibits the spouse of Individuals Energy Social gathering lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon being summoned for questioning by the particular counsel staff led by Min Joong-ki, which is investigating allegations surrounding former first girl Kim Keon Hee, on Dec. 27, 2025. (Yonhap)
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