Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, reunited in a courtroom on Tuesday for the first time since July, when Yoon was detained over his alleged attempt to impose martial law. Kim, who has been incarcerated since August due to separate corruption charges, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court to provide testimony in her husband's trial.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon faces charges of violating the Political Funds Act by receiving complimentary opinion poll results prior to his March 2022 election. As Kim entered the courtroom, supported by correctional officers, Yoon maintained steady eye contact with her. During her time in the witness box, she opted not to testify, responding to over 40 questions from special counsel Min Joong-ki's team by remaining mostly silent and looking downward.
Kim, dressed in her standard court attire of a black suit and white shirt, was summoned at the request of the special counsel team. The charges against the former first couple involve receiving 270 million won (approximately US$183,000) worth of opinion poll data for free. This was allegedly in exchange for securing the nomination of former People Power Party Rep. Kim Young-sun for a parliamentary by-election in June 2022.
Kim has been facing a separate trial concerning the same matter and was acquitted in the initial trial held in January. During her brief 30-minute appearance, Yoon watched her intently, and as she left, he displayed a broad smile with a quick nod.