Former first lady, opposition lawmaker indicted over presidential residence relocation contract

Kim Keon Hee and People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Han-hong were charged over alleged favoritism in awarding the project to a company tied to Kim.

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Aug. 12 after attending a detention warrant hearing.

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee and an opposition lawmaker were indicted Tuesday in connection with a presidential residence relocation project carried out under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, a special counsel team said.

Kim and Rep. Yoon Han-hong of the main opposition People Power Party were charged with meddling in the 4.12 billion won ($2.92 million) project to award it to an unqualified construction company, 21 Gram, according to special counsel Kwon Chang-young's team.

The team suspects that the contractor for the project was changed to 21 Gram, which had close ties to Kim, at the direction of the former first lady and Rep. Yoon, who formerly headed Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential transition team task force on relocating the presidential office and residence.

Kim was also charged with accepting bribes and valuables worth a combined total of 10.12 million won from 21 Gram in exchange for the contract and favors regarding construction costs.


Yonhap