A team led by special prosecutor Min Joong-ki launched an investigation on 2/7 into Kim Keon-hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, over a series of allegations, including corruption. The team also imposed a travel ban on Kim.

"We will conduct all investigations objectively and fairly. We will also do our best to provide satisfactory answers to the questions and find the truth," Min said.

Kim, 52, has faced legal troubles and criticism recently.

The investigative team comprises 205 independent investigators, including 40 prosecutors, divided into eight specialized groups. Each group will investigate 16 alleged wrongdoings by Kim, including receiving luxury gifts such as a Chanel bag and a Graff necklace worth 44,000 USD from a member of the Unification Church, and manipulating Deutsch Motors stock between 2009 and 2012.

Kim is also suspected of interfering in candidate nominations for the 2022 by-election and the 2024 general election.

Kim Keon-hee in Astana, Kazakhstan, in 12/2024. Photo: AFP

Kim Keon-hee in Astana, Kazakhstan, in 12/2024. Photo: AFP

"We will conduct all investigations fairly and impartially," Min stated. "We will strive to provide satisfactory answers to the questions, using our collective strength and wisdom."

Sookmyung Women's University's Graduate School Committee in Seoul announced on 24/6 that it had revoked Kim's 1999 master's degree after years of delay, citing plagiarism.

Kookmin University also announced it would revoke her doctoral degree because South Korean law requires a valid master's degree to qualify for doctoral programs.

Huyen Le (Yonhap, KBS)