'Denying Charges' Kim Keon-hee, Facing Indictment: "This is the path given... I will not make excuses"

Statement via legal team: "I am deeply sorry and distressed by the distress caused to the public... I will endure it"

First Lady Kim Keon-hee After Warrant Hearing (Seoul=Yonhap News) Former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee, is seen leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 12th, after a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing). 2025.8.12 [Photo Joint Press Corps] photo@yna.co.kr

Kim Keon-hee, who has been indicted while in custody, the first former first lady in the nation's history to face such charges, stated on the 29th, "I will not turn away from the path given to me and will diligently face the trial."

Through her legal team, Mrs. Kim released a statement shortly after being indicted by the special prosecutor's team led by Min Jung-ki, saying, "I will continue to faithfully attend all special prosecutor investigations regarding any charges."

She added, "I am truly sorry and distressed every day by this situation that has caused concern to the public. However, I will not make excuses under any circumstances."

Mrs. Kim also stated, "Just as the moonlight shines brightly on the darkest night, I too will endure this time by looking at my truth and my heart. While I cannot change anything myself and new articles are pouring out daily as if they are established facts, I will not avoid this and will carefully examine it."

This is interpreted as an assertion that she cannot accept the various allegations currently being reported at face value and intends to examine and respond to them.

Meanwhile, she expressed gratitude to the special prosecutor's team members who investigated her, the detention center guards, and her legal team, adding, "I ask for your continued cooperation until the special prosecutor's investigation concludes."

The special prosecutor's team indicted Mrs. Kim on charges related to the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation allegations (violation of the Capital Markets Act), the Myung Tae-gyun election interference allegations (violation of the Political Funds Act), and the Geonjin Beopsa and Unification Church lobbying allegations (bribery for favor under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes).

This marks the first time a former first lady has been sent to trial while in custody.

It is also the first time a former presidential couple has been tried concurrently while in custody. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol is currently on trial after being indicted by the rebellion special prosecutor.