A Constitutional Crisis Like No Other: Former President Heads to Special Counsel
Another shocking scene has been recorded in South Korea’s political history. On the 20th, Former President Yoon Suk-yeol underwent questioning by a special counsel team regarding various corruption allegations surrounding his wife, First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Citizens are feeling a mix of complexity and anger seeing the former president standing at the photo line shortly after leaving office. This summons is not just a simple investigation. It was the “Interrogation of the Century,” with the entire nation watching to see how the man who once shouted for “investigation without sanctuary” would react when the blade was turned towards him.
The special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki summoned former President Yoon as a suspect this morning and conducted a high-intensity investigation for over 8 hours regarding allegations of Mrs. Kim accepting luxury bags, involvement in Deutsche Motors stock manipulation, and the recently emerged suspicion of illegal payment for opinion poll expenses. Emerging from the investigation, Yoon’s expression was hardened, and he maintained silence in response to the barrage of questions from reporters.
First Lady Kim Keon-hee, Falling into the Swamp of ‘Bribery’?
The core of this investigation is undoubtedly First Lady Kim Keon-hee. The Special Counsel is weighing the possibility that luxury gifts, such as the Dior bag received from Pastor Choi Jae-young, were not simple gifts but ‘bribes’ related to official duties. Particularly shocking is the allegation that Mrs. Kim received opinion poll data worth 300 million won free of charge from Myung Tae-kyun, a central figure in the nomination interference scandal.
A Special Counsel official emphasized, “This is not simply a matter of receiving a single bag. The essence of this investigation is to reveal the circumstances of attempting to intervene deeply in state affairs and the reality of the dark money exchanged in the process.” If all these allegations turn out to be true, it seems difficult for former President Yoon to avoid punishment as an accomplice to ‘comprehensive bribery.’ Some in the legal community are reacting fiercely, calling it “a grave crime beyond impeachment grounds.”
The 8-Hour Truth Battle, What Was Exchanged?
It is reported that tension was palpable inside the interrogation room. Former President Yoon’s legal team denied all charges, strongly resisting what they called a “politically retaliatory investigation.” They repeated their existing stance that the gifts Mrs. Kim received are “being kept as presidential records” and that they “knew absolutely nothing” about the allegation of paying for opinion poll expenses.
However, the Special Counsel is known to have already secured significant material evidence. Transcripts from Myung Tae-kyun’s mobile phone and video evidence submitted by Pastor Choi Jae-young are making the explanations from Yoon’s side pale. In particular, intensive questioning was conducted regarding the charge (violation of the Public Official Election Act) that candidate Yoon made false clarifications about suspicions of Mrs. Kim’s false career credentials during the 2021 presidential election. It seems the result of piling lies upon lies has finally returned as a boomerang.
Public Anger, “Be Equal Before the Law”
Since early morning, the front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office was chaotic, with supporters of former President Yoon and members of civic groups calling for his arrest tangled together. Amidst the conflicting shouts of “Stop political oppression” and “Arrest the criminal Yoon Suk-yeol,” the majority of citizens showed cynical reactions.
Office worker Mr. Kim (42) raised his voice, saying, “It is a comedy in itself that a president who came from the Prosecutor General’s office, and someone who put forward ‘fairness’ and ‘common sense,’ is being investigated for his wife’s corruption allegations. This time, the Special Counsel must wield the sword properly without looking at the power.”
More Challenges Looming, What is the Outlook?
This summons investigation is not the end but the beginning. After analyzing the results of the investigation into former President Yoon, the Special Counsel plans to notify First Lady Kim Keon-hee of a summons soon. The day is not far off when Mrs. Kim, now a ‘civilian’ rather than the wife of a sitting president, will stand at the prosecution’s photo line.
The aftermath in the political sphere is also fierce. The opposition party is calling for a thorough investigation, saying “justice will prevail,” and voices of self-reflection are emerging even within the ruling party, saying “what needs to be shaken off must be shaken off.” However, with the backlash from some hardline supporters and political calculations intertwined, South Korea is once again falling into a vortex of extreme national division.
Can the Special Counsel thoroughly uncover the corruption allegations of the former presidential couple, who are no longer ‘living power’ but still wield significant influence? Or will it fizzle out this time too? The eyes of the people are now turned towards the tip of the Special Counsel’s sword and the mouth of First Lady Kim Keon-hee. The truth never sinks. We will witness the moment when that truth rises to the surface.
In-depth Analysis: Why Now?
Experts unanimously agree that this Special Counsel investigation is not simply digging up the past. It is an event that directly touches on the chronic ills of South Korea’s power structure, namely the ‘Imperial Presidency’ and the ‘Unofficial Power of the Spouse.’ It is proof that the shadow of imperial power, which did not change even after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, was cast without fail in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration as well.
A political commentator analyzed, “The failure of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration was foreseen,” adding, “The privatization of prosecutorial power and the neglect of the spouse’s intervention in state affairs resulted in today’s tragedy.” He pointed out, “Taking this investigation as an opportunity, the legal status and monitoring mechanisms for the president’s spouse must be institutionalized.”
Impact on the Economy
Political instability is also having a negative impact on the economy. Owner risk, one of the main causes of the ‘Korea Discount,’ is occurring at the national level. Foreign investors are postponing investment decisions while closely watching Korea’s political situation.
Economic expert Professor Park expressed concern, “The large-scale bad news of a former president’s investigation is increasing market uncertainty,” adding, “The economy will only be able to find vitality again when the truth is revealed as soon as possible and the political situation stabilizes.”
Conclusion: Does History Repeat Itself?
We must not forget the maxim that if we do not learn from history, we repeat it. Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye… and Yoon Suk-yeol. How long must the history of unfortunate presidents be repeated? We earnestly hope that this Special Counsel investigation will become a signal flare for fundamental reform of South Korean politics, beyond just condemnation. The people no longer want a ‘bad president.’
(Post to be updated continuously)
