South Korea's Special Prosecutor Summons Former Prime Minister in First Lady Corruption Probe

South Korea's political landscape witnessed a significant escalation on September 9, 2025, as special prosecutor Min Joong-ki summoned former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as a witness in the ongoing corruption investigation surrounding First Lady Kim Keon-hee. This development marks the first time a former prime minister has been called to testify in what has become one of the most closely watched political scandals in recent Korean history.

For American readers, this investigation parallels high-profile corruption cases involving presidential spouses, similar to scrutiny faced by figures like Hillary Clinton during her husband's presidency, but with distinctly Korean characteristics involving gift-giving culture and political appointments that may seem foreign to Western observers.

The Core Allegations: "Quid Pro Quo" Appointments

The investigation centers on allegations that Lee Bong-gwan, chairman of Seohee Construction, provided Kim Keon-hee with expensive jewelry worth approximately $45,000 (60 million won), including Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces, in exchange for securing a high-level government position for his son-in-law. The position in question was Secretary-General to the Prime Minister's office, a role that would be roughly equivalent to a senior White House staff position in the American system.

Han Duck-soo, who served as Prime Minister when the appointment was made in June 2023, was questioned about his role in appointing Park Sung-geun, Lee's son-in-law, to this influential position. In the Korean governmental system, the Prime Minister serves as the head of government under the President, making such appointments highly significant for policy implementation and political influence.

This case highlights the complex nature of Korean business-political relationships, where gift-giving has traditional cultural significance but becomes problematic when it crosses into corruption territory. Unlike American lobbying, which is heavily regulated and documented, Korean influence-peddling often operates through personal relationships and cultural practices that can blur ethical lines.

Election Interference Allegations Intensify

The same day brought another significant development as former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min was summoned as a suspect in alleged election interference. Kim is accused of attempting to influence candidate nominations for the April 2024 general elections, specifically seeking support for his own candidacy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

According to investigators, Kim Sang-min purchased artwork by renowned Korean artist Lee Ufan for $900,000 (1.2 billion won) and delivered it to Kim Keon-hee as part of an influence-peddling scheme. The First Lady allegedly asked political broker Myung Tae-kyun to help Kim Sang-min secure a parliamentary nomination, citing his service during the prosecution of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.

While Kim Sang-min failed to secure the nomination, he was appointed as legal advisor to the National Intelligence Service just four months later, raising questions about whether the First Lady's intervention had delayed but not prevented his political advancement. This pattern of failed political candidates receiving consolation appointments in government positions reflects Korean political culture's emphasis on maintaining face and rewarding loyalty.

Health Issues Delay Fourth Interrogation

Kim Keon-hee's fourth scheduled interrogation since her detention was postponed due to health concerns raised by her legal team. This development echoes patterns seen in other high-profile Korean political cases, where health issues have sometimes been used to delay or avoid questioning. The First Lady has consistently refused to provide testimony since her detention, exercising her right to remain silent under Korean law.

The postponement highlights the delicate balance Korean prosecutors must maintain between aggressive investigation and respect for defendants' rights, particularly when dealing with figures connected to the presidential office. Unlike American federal investigations, which can sometimes span years with multiple grand jury appearances, Korean special prosecutor investigations operate under strict time limits, creating pressure for swift resolution.

Expanding Investigation Reaches Government Core

The summoning of Han Duck-soo represents a significant expansion of the investigation into the highest levels of government. Han, who was previously indicted without detention in a separate martial law investigation, now faces questions in the Kim Keon-hee case, suggesting potential connections between multiple political scandals.

Special prosecutors have also re-summoned Han Hak-ja, leader of the Unification Church in Korea, after she failed to appear for initial questioning on September 8. The involvement of religious organizations in Korean political investigations often reflects the complex interplay between spiritual influence and political power that characterizes East Asian politics differently from American church-state separation.

The investigation team has conducted intensive seven-hour interrogations of key witnesses, including construction company chairman Lee Bong-gwan, demonstrating the methodical approach Korean prosecutors take to building corruption cases. This contrasts with American congressional hearings, which are often more public and political in nature.

Political Ramifications and Public Response

The intensifying investigation has created significant political tensions, with the ruling party denouncing the probe as political persecution while opposition parties demand thorough investigation and transparency. This partisan divide mirrors political polarization seen in American corruption investigations, where party loyalty often supersedes objective evaluation of evidence.

Legal experts note that the special prosecutor's multi-pronged approach – simultaneously investigating gift-giving, appointment manipulation, and election interference – reflects the interconnected nature of power abuse in Korean politics. Unlike American corruption cases that often focus on single incidents, Korean political scandals frequently involve networks of relationships spanning business, politics, and personal connections.

The investigation's timeline extends until February 2026, giving prosecutors substantial time to build comprehensive cases. However, the First Lady's continued refusal to cooperate presents challenges similar to those faced by American investigators when key witnesses invoke Fifth Amendment rights.

Implications for Korean Democracy

This investigation represents more than individual wrongdoing; it highlights systemic issues in Korean political culture regarding transparency and accountability. The case raises fundamental questions about the role of presidential spouses in governance, the influence of wealth on political appointments, and the effectiveness of Korea's democratic institutions in preventing abuse of power.

For American observers, the case illustrates how democratic accountability mechanisms function in different cultural contexts. While the Korean system allows for intensive special prosecutor investigations, the cultural factors surrounding gift-giving, family loyalty, and hierarchical relationships create unique challenges not present in American political corruption cases.

The investigation's outcome will likely influence Korean political reforms and set precedents for future accountability measures. As Korea continues to mature as a democracy, cases like this test the strength of institutions designed to check executive power and ensure transparent governance.

The special prosecutor's aggressive approach, combined with public attention and media scrutiny, demonstrates Korea's commitment to democratic principles while navigating the complex cultural and political factors that make Korean political scandals distinct from their Western counterparts.

Source: Read the original Korean article

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Original Korean Article: 김건희 특검, 한덕수 전 총리 소환으로 매관매직 수사 본격화