Indictments Test South Korea’s Political Stability as Kim Keon-hee and PM Han Duck-soo Face Special Prosecutors
In a development that reverberates through Seoul’s political elite, Kim Keon-hee, wife of ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo have been indicted by a special-prosecution team on charges tied to financial markets and political funding. The move, announced August 29, 2025, signals a high-stakes test for Seoul’s judiciary and could reshape the country’s political calculus at a critical moment for governance reform and regional diplomacy.
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Seoul, August 29, 2025 — A team of special prosecutors announced that Kim Keon-hee, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were formally indicted on charges alleging violations of financial market regulations and political funding laws. The indictment, delivered by the office led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki, marks a watershed moment in a sprawling inquiry that has roiled South Korea’s political establishment and raised questions about the boundaries between private influence and public power. Prosecutors stated that their case rests on findings of improper fundraising activity and misreporting linked to both individuals, with potential implications for governance and market integrity in the country.