Analysis120 prosecutors, one target: Korea’s ex-first couple
Three special counsel teams to probe Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee in country’s largest-ever investigation
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee arrive at a polling station in Seocho District, Seoul, June 3 to cast their votes in the presidential election. Joint Press Corps.
A team of 120 prosecutors is now investigating two central figures in a probe of unprecedented scale: impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee.
Two separate special counsel teams were launched Wednesday — one to investigate alleged crimes involving Kim, and the other to examine accusations that Yoon interfered in a probe into the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away in a swollen stream during a search-and-rescue mission amid heavy downpours in 2023.
In Korea, special counsel prosecutors are appointed to investigate suspected wrongdoing by high-ranking officials, particularly in cases requiring strict political neutrality and fairness. Once the National Assembly approves a special counsel investigation, a committee is formed to recommend candidates to lead the probe, from which the president appoints one as special prosecutor.
With the special counsel team investigating Yoon on charges of rebellion and treason launched last month, three separate teams are now probing alleged crimes involving the former first couple.
This is the first time three separate investigations have been conducted simultaneously since the system was introduced in 1999. It also marks the largest and longest-running special counsel operation in Korea's history.
Here’s what to know.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo arrives at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho District, Seoul, Wednesday, for questioning by special prosecutors about his possible involvement in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in December. Yonhap
Charges of rebellion and treason
The largest of the three special counsel teams — made up of 60 prosecutors — was launched last month and will operate for up to 150 days. Led by Cho Eun-seok, the prosecutor who oversaw the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster investigation, the team is probing alleged illegal activities surrounding Yoon’s December martial law declaration.
The tragic sinking of the Korean passenger ferry on April 16, 2014, resulted in the deaths of over 300 people, most of whom were high school students on a field trip.
The team already summoned Yoon for questioning last Saturday and plans to question him again this weekend.
The investigation includes possible violations of foreign exchange laws and national security. One focus is North Korea’s claim that a South Korean drone entered its airspace last October. Investigators are examining whether Yoon may have attempted to escalate tensions with North Korea through the incident as a pretext for declaring martial law.
Among the three special counsel investigations targeting Yoon, this one carries the potential for the most severe penalties. Rebellion can be punished by death, while espionage-related charges carry sentences ranging from life imprisonment to a minimum of three years behind bars.
On Wednesday, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun were summoned for questioning as part of the investigation into their possible involvement in the martial law declaration.
Science and ICT Minister Yoo Sang-im, who missed the Cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration but joined the one lifting it the next morning, was also questioned.
Special counsel prosecutors investigating allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee unveil a nameplate in front of their office in Jongno District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Ex-first lady accused of stock manipulation, bribery, election interference
Prosecutors have identified 16 criminal allegations against Kim, the most serious involving suspicions of stock price manipulation.
Between 2009 and 2012, a group of individuals used 157 stock accounts under 91 different names to manipulate the share price of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in Korea. The Supreme Court upheld their convictions in April. Kim has faced allegations of involvement in the scheme for several years.
Other key allegations include accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods — such as designer handbags and diamond necklaces — and unlawfully interfering in candidate nominations in elections during Yoon’s presidency through lobbyists linked to election campaigns.
Led by Min Jung-ki, former chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court, the special counsel will run for 110 days and can be extended twice, by 30 days each. Forty prosecutors will be split into teams, each led by special prosecutors handling a different part of the investigation.
The mother of late Marine Chae Su-geun weeps at a memorial altar set up at the Marine Corps 1st Division in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, July 20, 2023. Chae died during a search operation for flood victims in 2023. Yonhap
Allegations of probe obstruction, abuse of power, and cover-up
Chae, a 20-year-old Marine private who was posthumously promoted to corporal, was swept away by strong currents during a search operation for missing persons after heavy rains in July 2023. His body was found 14 hours later.
Following Chae’s death, reports emerged that Yoon reacted angrily during a briefing with his aides. When the Marine Corps investigation team presented its findings, he reportedly said, “If you punish a commander over something like this, who would ever want to be one?”
Yoon is accused of exerting undue influence over the investigation, including covering up the case, pressuring key figures, manipulating evidence, and neglecting his official duties.
Led by former military judge advocate Lee Myung-hyun, the team will operate for up to 140 days, with 20 prosecutors contributing.