Special counsel wraps up over seven hours of questioning former first lady

Former first lady Kim Kun Hee has been summoned by a special counsel over a series of allegations made against her.

Kim is now the first wife of a former president to face a public summons by prosecutors as a suspect.

Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports.

The special counsel's first questioning of former first lady Kim Keon Hee lasted over seven hours.

The face-to-face session, held on Wednesday at the office of special counsel Min Joong-ki, in Jongno-gu District, ended at around 5:46 PM, about seven hours and 23 minutes after it began at 10:23 AM.

Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol , then went through the written record of her questioning.

The questioning comes after the special counsel mailed a summons to Kim's residence about two weeks ago to request her appearance as a suspect.

Shortly after 10 AM on Wednesday, Kim arrived at the office, bowed and apologized to the public for causing concern, before being questioned.

"I am truly sorry that a nobody like myself has caused concern for the people. I will faithfully undergo the questioning."

However, she did not respond to questions from reporters about the allegations.

This marks the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that a first lady has been publicly named as a suspect in an investigation.

The special counsel team focused on five of the 16 allegations made against Kim, starting with her purported role in manipulating stock prices.

Other allegations include interference in the candidate nomination process during past elections, and receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a "broker."

Since Kim did not agree to be video recorded, the face-to-face questioning took place without it.

According to the special counsel team, Kim did not exercise her right to remain silent.

Ahead of the questioning, Kim's representatives said she would answer questions as fully as possible without refusing, but wanted to avoid questioning after 9 PM due to her poor health.

The special counsel is expected to summon Kim again for further questioning over other allegations.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.