Special Prosecutor Devotes Most of Opinion to "Risk of Evidence Destruction"
Possibility of "Simultaneous Detention" for Former President and Spouse
Kim Gunhee to Await Result at Detention Center After Hearing
The court has begun proceedings to determine whether to issue a detention warrant for Kim Gunhee, who faces allegations including stock price manipulation. If a warrant is issued for Kim, it would mark the first time in constitutional history that both a former president and their spouse are detained simultaneously. If the special prosecution team led by Min Joongki secures custody of Kim, it would gain significant momentum for its investigation. However, if the court denies the warrant, the team is expected to face backlash for having requested it prematurely.
Yoon Sukyeol, former president's wife Kim Gunhee, is attending the pre-trial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th. The special prosecution team led by Min Joongki filed an arrest warrant with the court on the 7th, charging Kim with violations of the Capital Market Act, Political Funds Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (bribery). August 12, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Judge Jeong Jaewook, who is in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, held a pre-trial detention hearing for Kim at 10:10 a.m. on the 12th. The hearing was originally scheduled to take place in courtroom 319, but the location was changed that morning. Courtroom 321 is the same courtroom where former president Yoon Sukyeol attended his pre-trial detention hearing on July 9.
The special prosecution team was represented by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Han Munhyeok and seven other members, while Kim’s legal team included attorneys Yoo Jeonghwa, Chae Myeongseong, and Choi Jiwoo. The result of the hearing is expected to be announced late at night or in the early hours of the following day.
Kim arrived at the court at approximately 9:26 a.m., dressed in a black suit as she had been during previous summons. She remained silent in response to reporters' questions, including whether she had testified truthfully regarding luxury gifts, simply bowing her head once before proceeding into the courtroom.
Special Prosecutor: "Risk of Evidence Destruction" vs. Kim's Team: "Warrant Request Unjustified"
In the warrant request for Kim, the special prosecution team cited allegations of stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, alleged involvement in candidate nominations related to Myung Taegyun, and allegations of influence peddling involving Geonjin Beopsa. The charges include violations of the Capital Market Act, Political Funds Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery).
The special prosecution team believes that Kim provided funds and participated in the Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation case between 2009 and 2012, and that she was involved in the nomination process for the 2022 by-elections and National Assembly elections. They also allege that she accepted illicit requests through Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Beopsa, from the Unification Church in exchange for resolving certain issues.
The special prosecution team is expected to emphasize during the hearing that there is a "risk of evidence destruction," noting that Kim has denied all charges despite being questioned on only three out of sixteen allegations raised against her. Most of the 847-page detention opinion submitted to the court over two occasions is devoted to concerns about evidence destruction.
In contrast, Kim’s legal team is expected to argue that the warrant request is unjustified, emphasizing that Kim responded actively to the special prosecution’s summons and answered questions sincerely during the investigation, demonstrating that there is no risk of evidence destruction or flight.
Special Prosecutor Requests Transfer to Southern Detention Center, Not Seoul Detention Center Where Yoon Is Held
After the hearing, Kim is expected to be transferred to a detention center to await the result. Although she was originally scheduled to be sent to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, the special prosecution team requested the court the previous day to change the place of detention to the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Former president Yoon is currently being held at the Seoul Detention Center. The court has not yet notified the parties of its decision.
This detention hearing is likely to be a critical turning point for the investigation. If Kim is detained, investigations into the numerous unresolved allegations are expected to gain momentum. However, if the prosecution fails to secure her custody, it may be forced to focus its efforts on other allegations in which Kim’s involvement is relatively minor.
If the court does not recognize the necessity of Kim’s detention, she is expected to continue actively denying the charges, as she did during the first round of questioning. In that case, the special prosecution team will inevitably face difficulties in its investigation, as it would need to secure "decisive evidence" to counter Kim’s defense strategy and prove the charges against her.
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