Shin Pyung: "Kim Gunhee Left Emaciated... Wondered If Her Death Would Save Her Husband"

Shin Pyung Visits Kim Gunhee in Detention
"Only a frail frame remains... Expresses resentment toward Han Donghoon"

It has been reported that Kim Gunhee, the wife of former President Yoon Seokyeol, who is currently detained at Seoul Southern Detention Center, expressed her frustration to a close associate.

Yoon Seokyeol, the former president's wife Kim Gunhee, is coming out after the detention hearing (warrant review) held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 12th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the 20th, Shin Pyung, an attorney close to former President Yoon, wrote on his Facebook page that he had recently visited Kim at the Seoul Southern Detention Center, stating, "Kim was extremely emaciated, with only a frail frame remaining."

Attorney Shin said, "(Kim said) 'Sir, wouldn't my husband have a chance at life only if I died?'" He added, "I was shocked by such a despairing statement and tried to comfort her, telling her not to think that way and offering her some solace."

He also reported that Kim expressed resentment toward Han Donghoon, the former leader of the People Power Party. Shin said, "(Kim lamented) 'How could Han Donghoon do such a thing?' and 'If Han Donghoon had not betrayed us, wouldn't he have had endless glory ahead of him?'"

In response, Attorney Shin said, "'Han Donghoon is a pitiable person. Trapped in the illusion of hollow achievements, he will likely spend his life as a 'wandering presidential hopeful,' living out his days in solitude without any real success. He is nothing more than a squanderer of life.' He continued, 'I advised Kim, though it would be very difficult, to try to forgive him. If forgiveness is too hard, I told her to forget him by imagining his bleak future. That, I said, is the true way to overcome him and to erase the burden from her heart.'

The special prosecutor's team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating various allegations surrounding Kim, announced on this day, "The court decided yesterday (the 19th) to extend Kim Gunhee's detention period until August 31." Kim was arrested on August 12 on charges including violations of the Act on Capital Markets and Financial Investment Business, violations of the Political Funds Act, and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, the maximum detention period for a suspect is generally 10 days, but it can be extended once, allowing for a maximum of 20 days.

Kim was originally scheduled to be summoned at 10 a.m. on this day, but she submitted a handwritten statement explaining that her poor health made it difficult for her to attend. According to Kim's side, she has found it difficult to sleep and eat due to depression, and has stated that undergoing consecutive interrogations at short intervals is not easy for her.