Special prosecutor seeks new detention warrant for Kim Keon Hee

South Korea's special prosecutor asked the Supreme Court on October 15 to issue an additional detention warrant for Kim Keon Hee, the wife of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Her current detention period expires on October 31. The prosecutor's team said continued detention was necessary and submitted a request for the court to issue a warrant on its own authority, according to several reports. [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]

The request was submitted in a separate appeal involving allegations that Kim accepted expensive valuables in return for business favors and influence over appointments and nominations. Chosun Ilbo reported that both Kim and the special prosecutor appealed after the appellate court's September 22 ruling. Newsis reported that the appeal court reduced her sentence from seven years to five years after reversing some findings of guilt involving a painting reproduction and a wristwatch. [ 7 , 8 ]

The Supreme Court's full bench is separately reviewing cases concerning alleged Deutsche Motors stock manipulation, free opinion polling and valuables received in connection with Unification Church requests. The full bench held deliberations on September 29 and scheduled another session for October 22. Reports said that session was for further deliberations rather than a ruling, prompting concern that judgment might not come before detention expires. [ 7 , 8 , 12 ]

Chosun Ilbo reported that Kim would be released when the detention period expires if the relevant judgment has not been delivered and no additional warrant is issued in another case. It also said courts handling separate first-instance proceedings could issue warrants. A later Dong-A Ilbo report identified the Supreme Court's Second Division as handling the request and said the permitted detention renewals in the existing cases had been exhausted. [ 7 , 16 ]