Overview

• The former first lady was brought from detention for the opening session, where press were permitted to film for roughly one minute before proceedings began, and she became the first spouse of a former president to stand trial.
• Prosecutors charge her with Deutsch Motors stock manipulation yielding 810 million won, receipt of 270 million won in free polling tied to a 2022 nomination, and luxury gifts worth 80 million won; charges cite the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act and a law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation.
• The special counsel has asked the court to freeze her assets pending trial.
• Investigators extended the probe by 30 days and opened a formal inquiry into an alleged 2023 school bullying cover-up linked to a presidential aide’s child.
• Kim was summoned over an allegation that a 140 million-won Lee Ufan painting was provided in exchange for nomination support, with a warrant issued for ex-prosecutor Kim Sang-min, who denies delivery.