Seoul: Former first lady Kim Keon Hee has informed the prosecution that she will not comply with a summons request this week, citing concerns that the investigation into an alleged influence-peddling case might affect public opinion ahead of the upcoming presidential election, as reported by judicial sources on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim’s legal team submitted a letter of excuse to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, stating her inability to attend a planned hearing on Wednesday. The former first lady is facing charges related to violations of the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act. These charges are connected to allegations of her involvement in assisting former People Power Party Representative Kim Young-sun in securing the party’s nomination for the 2022 by-elections. This was allegedly done through Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, who conducted free public opinion polls favorable to Yoon prior to the 2022 presidential election.
In her letter, Kim expressed concerns that the ongoing investigation might influence the June 3 presidential election by encouraging speculative media coverage, the sources indicated.