Seoul: Police said Monday they will not pursue charges against former first lady Kim Keon Hee over a party held aboard a naval ship in 2023. Kim and her husband, ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, have been under investigation for allegedly using military assets for private purposes during the naval ship party at the Jinhae Naval Base in August 2023.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a special police investigation team announced they decided to close the case without pursuing charges due to a lack of evidence. The team had been examining various corruption allegations involving the former first lady that were previously unresolved by a special counsel team.
However, police have referred Kim Yong-hyun, a former chief of the Presidential Security Service, to the prosecution on suspicions of instigating abuse of power. His former deputy, Kim Seong-hoon, is also facing allegations of abusing power by organizing the party. The former deputy chief is accused of instructing staff to purchase premium fish, install karaoke equipment, and prepare firecrackers for the event, among other allegations.