SEOUL, March 17 — South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, former first lady Kim Keon-hee, face separate trials at the same court today for the second time over corruption and other allegations.
Yonhap News Agency reported that he is scheduled to appear at the Seoul Central District Court for his trial on charges of receiving free opinion polls from Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, ahead of the 2022 presidential election.
Yoon is accused of colluding with his wife to accept the polls in exchange for supporting former Rep. Kim Young-sun's nomination as a People Power Party candidate in the Parliamentary by-elections later that year, following his presidential victory.
In an earlier trial, the court acquitted Kim of the identical charge, ruling that the polls could not be recognised as benefiting the couple economically.
Meanwhile, she appeared at the same court for her trial on charges of accepting various gifts allegedly in return for her influence in public office appointments.
Kim is accused of receiving jewellery worth over ₩100 million (RM262,847), including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, from a construction company chairman in exchange for his son-in-law's appointment in public office, among other gifts from different people.
During the hearing, her lawyers admitted that she had accepted gifts but denied they were given in exchange for favours, arguing that special prosecutors had reconstructed the case without presenting direct evidence.
Correctional officials are expected to arrange the couple's appearance so that they do not cross paths in court. They did not meet each other when they shared the same court date in November for separate trials.
Yoon and Kim have been held at separate detention centres as they stand trial on multiple criminal charges, including those stemming from the former president's bid to impose martial law in late 2024.
