South Korea's ex-president Yoon, wife summoned for questioning over alleged election interference
The team, led by Prosecutor Min Joong-ki, ordered Yoon and Kim to each appear as suspects for separate questioning sessions scheduled on the mornings of July 29 and Aug 6, respectively, Assistant Special Counsel Moon Hong-ju said to a press briefing. The team, one of the three special counsel teams launched in June, is focused on investigating several allegations surrounding Kim.
Yoon and Kim were both summoned over their alleged meddling in the People Power Party's candidate nomination process for the 2022 by-elections.
Kim, in addition, is accused of interfering in the main opposition party's candidate selection process for the 2024 general election.
Besides her alleged meddling in elections, Kim is projected to be questioned about her alleged roles in two separate stock manipulation scandals, as well as acceptance of luxury gifts from a shaman in return for favours for the Unification Church.
But it is uncertain whether Kim and Yoon will comply with the summons. Yoon, who is currently held at Seoul Detention Centre, has already refused summonses to appear for questioning over alleged insurrection and treason from a separate special counsel team.
Meanwhile, the team led by Prosecutor Min made search and seizure operations at the Finance Ministry and the Export-Import Bank of Korea headquarters in the morning, over suspicions of tampering with a loan aid programme to benefit the Unification Church.
A high-ranking Unification Church official surnamed Jeon is accused of gifting a diamond necklace and a luxury bag to Kim through a shaman in 2022, in exchange for several favours from the Yoon administration.
The Yoon administration allegedly funnelled money to a Unification Church-led project in Cambodia through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund. The fund was established by the Korean government in 1987 to support developing countries and is managed by the Eximbank. - The Straits Times/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Madani government not perfect, but always ready to fixing weaknesses
PUTRAJAYA: The government is prepared to make the necessary adjustments to address any shortcomings, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the Madani government remained committed to listening to the people and improving policies and initiatives where necessary. "If there are weaknesses, we will address them. I am not saying everything we have done so far is perfect, but we always listen to the people and adjust where necessary," he told reporters after attending PKR's Seminar Pemantapan Organisasi dan Jelajah Presiden today. Anwar was responding to a question on the Pas-led rally held yesterday, despite the government having introduced numerous economic and social initiatives. He said such gatherings were permissible in a democratic country, but stressed the importance of distinguishing between genuine criticism and politically motivated misinformation. "During the rally, claims were made that fuel prices had gone up, when in fact they had gone down. "There were also claims that salt prices had increased, among other things. "This shows that what is being pushed is not fact-based but driven by political hatred. We urge the public to evaluate based on facts, not sentiment." Anwar said yesterday's rally ended peacefully. However, he added that no substantive proposals were raised by the opposition during the protest, whether on the economy, education, national unity or national stability. "There were only calls for Anwar to step down. Earlier today I was in Muar, now I am in the Federal Territory, and next week I will be in Kelantan," he said. When asked about the scale of yesterday's rally compared to the 1999 protest, Anwar simply responded with a hand gesture indicating it was "small."
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Madani government not perfect, but always ready to fix weaknesses
PUTRAJAYA: The government is prepared to make the necessary adjustments to address any shortcomings, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the Madani government remained committed to listening to the people and improving policies and initiatives where necessary. "If there are weaknesses, we will address them. I am not saying everything we have done so far is perfect, but we always listen to the people and adjust where necessary," he told reporters after attending PKR's Seminar Pemantapan Organisasi dan Jelajah Presiden today. Anwar was responding to a question on the Pas-led rally held yesterday, despite the government having introduced numerous economic and social initiatives. He said such gatherings were permissible in a democratic country, but stressed the importance of distinguishing between genuine criticism and politically motivated misinformation. "During the rally, claims were made that fuel prices had gone up, when in fact they had gone down. "There were also claims that salt prices had increased, among other things. "This shows that what is being pushed is not fact-based but driven by political hatred. We urge the public to evaluate based on facts, not sentiment." Anwar said yesterday's rally ended peacefully. However, he added that no substantive proposals were raised by the opposition during the protest, whether on the economy, education, national unity or national stability. "There were only calls for Anwar to step down. Earlier today I was in Muar, now I am in the Federal Territory, and next week I will be in Kelantan," he said. When asked about the scale of yesterday's rally compared to the 1999 protest, Anwar simply responded with a hand gesture indicating it was "small."
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Umno part of govt, will question members who joined opposition rally
RAUB: Umno will investigate its members who participated in Saturday's opposition rally, said party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the party would not tolerate behaviour that undermines the Madani coalition government, of which Umno is a part. Allegations had surfaced that some Umno members took part in the Pas-led rally at Dataran Merdeka yesterday. Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had earlier told Sinar Harian that the party would await a full report on the claims before taking any action. "I want to see who attended the rally. My team and I will question them. "What was their reason for attending? "Umno's leadership has a clear stance—we do not support such gatherings. The party is now part of the Madani government. "We must strengthen the unity government, not bring it down. Joining such a gathering is not a good move," Zahid told reporters after opening the Raub Umno division delegates' meeting at the Raub Silver Jubilee Hall today. Yesterday, some 18,000 people attended the rally, which ended peacefully. The event was organised to pressure the government over the rising cost of living and alleged institutional failures.
